Collision repair process

ABSTRACT

A process is provided to facilitate the repair of damage, such as that sustained by the body or frame of a vehicle during collision. The present invention provides a standardized process for vehicle body repair and offers the technician a standardized and practical toolkit to be implemented into said process. The present invention allows the technician to reduce the costs both in time and equipment required to perform the repair. Further, the possibility of secondary damage arising from inappropriate application of methodologies and tools is significantly reduced with the implementation of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

In one of its aspects, the present invention generally relates to repairprocesses that the technician may invoke in order to optimize the repairof damage such as that sustained by a vehicle under collision. Morespecifically, in this aspect, the present invention relates to theprocess of identification of the correct steps after the implementationof which corrective forces can be applied to correct collision damage.

In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to automobilerepair systems and more directly to those requiring the elevation,mobility and anchoring of automobiles under repair.

In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to methods andapparatus for the attachment of devices to a pliable medium where forcemust be applied, often to correct damage or deformity, and which arethen removable without significant secondary damage sustained by themedium.

In yet another of its aspects, the present invention generally relatesto repair apparatus that may be used by an operator to correct damage ordistortion in a medium. More specifically, in this aspect, the presentinvention relates tools required to the correct damage or distortion ina medium, such as a vehicle body or frame, where force is to be appliedbut where the site of the work presents obstacles, such as vehiclebumpers, to the direct application of corrective force.

In another of its aspects, the present invention generally relates torepair processes that the mechanic may invoke in order to optimize therepair of a damaged or distorted medium, such as a metal medium. Morespecifically, in this aspect, the invention relates to the process ofestablishing an anchor point, to which corrective forces can be applied,on a medium in order to repair damage to the medium. Said damage wouldbe that suffered by the body and/or frame of a vehicle due to collision.

In another of its aspects, the present invention generally relates toapparatuses designed to aid in the correction of damage to a medium inthe establishment of an anchor point, the drilling of holes, or theinstallation of a rivet. More specifically, in this aspect, the presentinvention relates to the repair of damage where the work may beobstructed or where the application of force to repair damage requiresreinforcement at the site of the work and where drilling or rivetinstallation is desired to be performed.

In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to methods andapparatus for the installation of rivets into a medium for the purposesof anchoring and particularly for the installation of rivets providedwith internal threads to be installed from one side of the work.

In another of its aspects, the present invention generally relates towork to be performed utilizing an installed rivet. More specifically, inthis aspect, the present invention relates to the utilization of aninstalled rivet where the installed rivet is deemed to be insufficientto withstand the stresses to be applied thereon.

In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to methods andapparatuses for drilling into a medium where the medium may be difficultto access, the work requires the drilling of holes relatively spaced atdistances according to tight tolerances, the operator may only haveunpowered or low rotation driving devices at his disposal, the axis ofdrilling must be perpendicular to the face of the work, or where anycombination of the above situations is present.

In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to apparatusesdesigned to guide a drill bit in the drilling of holes into a medium.More specifically, the present invention relates to the drilling ofholes into a medium where the work may be obstructed by surfaceirregularities, where magnetic mounting is desirable, or where there isinsufficient access at the site of the work by means of conventionaldrill guides.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Existing repair methodologies lack standardization in both process andapparatus in the correction of damage. The technician is often burdenedwith customization of the methods and tools used to repair damage on aper job basis increasing the duration of the process and necessitatingthe use of tools both costly and cumbersome to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one of its aspects, the present invention provides a process for thetechnician to be able to perform collision repair, and offers thetechnician a standardized process which may be applied to the maximumnumber of problems with a minimum of effort, to recommend the tools,from a standardized kit, which the technician will require in order tocarry out the steps in this process, to thereby reduce the time and/orcost of repair, and/or to minimize secondary damage that may be causedby the implementation of inappropriate methods and/or tools.

In another of its aspects the present invention provides a universalsystem and comprehensive mechanism for the repair of automobiles whichis free from one or more of the defects of the prior art repairmethodologies. In accordance with the present invention, a universalsystem of repair is provided that will elevate the vehicle from anylevel surface and allow its transport to any predefined repair zone. Inthis aspect, the present invention provides the facility to elevate,secure onto apparatus and move any passenger automobile withoutrefitting for width and length variation. Once in the repair zone, thevehicle can be anchored to conventional, repair industry standard, floormounted anchor points integrating into the base clamp and/or can beindependently stabilized by locking the repair apparatus into position.Rotation of the vehicle can be then achieved by unlocking three of thefour locking points and then rotating about the axis of the remaininglocked point. Further, this aspect provides facility for additional highresolution spot anchoring to the damaged regions of the automobilereducing unnecessary stresses to undamaged regions during the repairprocess thereby minimizing secondary damage to an unperceivable level.

In yet another aspect, the present invention is to provide astandardized method and complimentary apparatus for the mounting of athreaded shaft onto a medium such as the metal structure of a vehicle toprovide a sturdy attachment means for the purposes of applying force tocorrect structural damage. Further, this aspect of the inventionprovides a versatile and adaptive means of attachment in regionsotherwise inaccessible or difficult to access thereby limiting thesubsequently applied forces to the damaged region. This method providesthe mechanic with an economic and/or time saving method in the selectionand application of the appropriate apparatus herein.

In another of its aspects, the present invention is to provide a tool tocorrect damage or distortion in a medium, such as a vehicle body orframe, where the work is inaccessible or only partly accessible.Further, this aspect of the invention provides the facility within saidtool for proper anchoring at the site of the work, to offer the operatorat least two axes of rotation about the site of the work in order toefficiently apply forces as required, to provide adaptable means toclear obstructions to the work, and/or to reduce the potential ofsecondary damage caused by the use of inappropriate tools. Anotheraspect of the invention is to increase safety in the immediateenvironment of the apparatus by allowing the operator to rigidly mountsaid apparatus before the application of force thereby eliminating thepossibility of the device being disengaged when unattended. A furtheraspect of the invention aims to standardize the apparatus required toperform said tasks.

In another of its aspects, the present invention is to provide a processfor the mechanic to create an anchor point on a damaged medium in orderto apply corrective forces to said anchor point. A further aspect ofthis invention is to offer the mechanic a standardized process which maybe applied to the maximum number of problems with a minimum of effort,to recommend the tools, from a standardized kit, which the mechanic willrequire in order to carry out the steps in this process, to therebyreduce the time and/or cost of repair, and/or to minimize secondarydamage that may be caused by the implementation of inappropriate methodsand/or tools.

In another of its aspects, the present invention is to provide a toolwhich is versatile in scope, effective in clearing obstructions to itsapplication, and sufficiently sturdy to withstand forces applied tocorrect damage a the site of the work. Further, this aspect of theinvention is to provide a single platform that may be used to guide adrill or to establish a rivet in a medium without having to resort tothe use of several tools exclusive to each task. In another of itsaspects, this invention aims to reduce the cost of repair, in both timerequirements and/or tool requirements. The aim of the present inventionis to reduce the occurrence of secondary damage that may be caused byimproperly applied forces by providing the operator the facility tomount the apparatus, and to thereby apply forces, as close to thedesired point of application as possible.

In another of its aspects, the present invention is to provide a methodand apparatus for the installation of threaded rivets into a mediumwhich is inexpensive, simple in design, allows the operator versatilityin application, allows the operator freedom of one hand, and permits theinstallation of said rivets from one side of the work.

In another of its aspects, the present invention is to provide afacility to reinforce an existing, installed rivet. An additional aspectof this invention is to allow the technician to select a level ofreinforcement as required by the work thereby increasing the stressbearing facility of the system of the washer and the rivet to levelsunattainable by the rivet alone. In the absence of a suitable site for arivet but where a washer may be installed, the technician is providedthe facility to use the washer as a stand alone device to bear thestresses of the work that would otherwise be borne by a rivet. It is theaim of this invention to provide the technician with a tool that iseconomical and simple to implement in the event that a rivet requiresreinforcement or in the absence of a rivet.

In yet another of its aspects, the present invention is to provide amethod and complimentary apparatus for drilling into a medium underconditions unsuitable for existing systems and apparatus, isinexpensive, compact in design, versatile in application, is capable ofperforming its intended function under tight tolerance and at the siteof the work such as that required for the installation of brackets,allows the operator to concentrate applied forces to rotation and notagainst the face of the work thereby reducing fouling of the drill bitand resulting in a hole perpendicular to the face of the work. Furtheraspects of this invention are to provide a method and apparatus for thedrilling of holes into a medium which may be performed at low rotationspeeds reducing the generation of heat at the site of the work withoutlubrication and/or at high rotation speeds where a localized air coolingfacility may be engaged.

In another of its aspects, this invention is to provide a tool which iseffective in clearing obstructions to its application, compact, simplyapplied, and sufficiently sturdy to withstand forces applied in thedrilling of holes at the site of the work and to allow the drilling tobe performed at an angle to the plane of the work desirable to theoperator. Further to this aspect of the invention, a means to reduceheat resulting from the action of drilling and to safely remove drillingexhaust in the form of fragments which can otherwise obstruct thedrilling action or injure the operator is provided. In another aspect,this invention is to reduce the cost of drilling in both setup time andtool requirements. In this aspect, it is the aim of the presentinvention to provide a means for the operator to accurately define thelocation of the intended hole(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart diagram of the collision repair process.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart diagram of the hook-up process.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a pinch clamp.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a bracket.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a drill cartridge.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of locking pliers.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a piercing punch.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a mobile, 4 point anchoring apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a vector transfer apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of the repair zone equipped with floor anchors.

FIG. 11 is a detailed diagram of the elevation and mobility apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of the anchored base clamp.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of the adjustable clamp on a section of crossbeam.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of an anchor facility affixed to a section ofcrossbeam.

FIG. 15 is a detailed diagram of the crossbeam fitted for apparatusintegration.

FIG. 16 is a side elevation of a threaded shaft configured for use witha nut.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of a threaded shaft.

FIG. 18 is a side elevation of a threaded shaft configured for use witha threaded rivet.

FIG. 19 is a side elevation of a threaded shaft configured for use witha forming nut.

FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a threaded shaft configured for use witha twist and lock attachment.

FIG. 21 is a side elevation of a threaded shaft configured for use witha threaded bracket.

FIG. 22 is a side elevation of a threaded shaft and a sectional view ofa right angle bracket with which it is engaged.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view of a threaded shaft and a one-point viseclamp bracket.

FIG. 24 is an isometric view of a threaded shaft and a two-point viseclamp bracket.

FIG. 25 is an isometric view of a threaded shaft and MacPherson struthousing bracket.

FIG. 26 is an isometric view of a vector transfer apparatus with astraight arm attachment.

FIG. 27 is a side elevation of a vector transfer apparatus with astraight arm attachment.

FIG. 28 is a side elevation of a vector transfer apparatus with astraight arm attached perpendicular to the axis of the locked,internally threaded cylinder.

FIG. 29 is an isometric view of a vector transfer apparatus with anadjustable right angle arm attachment.

FIG. 30 is an isometric view of a vector transfer apparatus with a chaintightener attachment.

FIG. 31 is an isometric view of the vector lock mechanism.

FIG. 32 is an isometric view of the vector lock mechanism with lockingbolt fixture exposed.

FIG. 33 is a side elevation of a vector transfer apparatus with a highresolution vector lock mechanism.

FIG. 34 is an isometric view of a vector transfer apparatus with a highresolution vector lock mechanism.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart diagram of the hook up process.

FIG. 36 is an illustration of a pinch clamp.

FIG. 37 is an illustration of the front and side of a universal bracket.

FIG. 38 is an illustration of a drill cartridge.

FIG. 39 is an illustration of locking pliers.

FIG. 40 is an illustration of a piercing punch.

FIG. 41 is an isometric view of a right angle repair bracket.

FIG. 42 is a side elevation of the length of a right angle repairbracket.

FIG. 43 is a side elevation along the width of a right angle repairbracket.

FIG. 44 is a side elevation of a flat repair bracket.

FIG. 45 is a top view of a flat repair bracket.

FIG. 46 is a side elevation of a flat repair bracket mounted on a mediumand reinforced by a washer.

FIG. 47 is an isometric view of an adjustable mount flat repair bracketequipped with an anchor attachment.

FIG. 48 is a top view of an adjustable mount flat repair bracketequipped with an anchor attachment.

FIG. 49 is a side elevation of an adjustable mount flat repair bracketequipped with an anchor attachment and installed on a medium to berepaired.

FIG. 50 is a side elevation of a right angle repair bracket installed ona medium by locking pliers means.

FIG. 51 is a side elevation of a right angle repair bracket installed ona medium with the aid of locking pliers and engaged with two drill guideattachments.

FIG. 52 is a top view of a flat or right angle repair bracket installedon a medium and engaged by an anchor plug attachment and a drill guideattachment.

FIG. 53 is a side elevation of two wall thickness gauges.

FIG. 54 is a side elevation of a rivet and a rivet installed in amedium.

FIG. 55 is a sectional view of an hollow anvil body.

FIG. 56 is a side elevation of a mandrel.

FIG. 57 is a sectional view of a mandrel installed in an hollow anvilbody.

FIG. 58 is a sectional view of an assembled anvil apparatus.

FIG. 59 is a sectional view of an assembled anvil apparatus where themandrel has been drawn upward along the axis of rotation.

FIG. 60 is a side elevation of an anvil assembly with a pin passingthrough it.

FIG. 61 is a top view of an anvil assembly with a pin passing throughit.

FIG. 62 is a top view of an anvil wrench.

FIG. 63 is a side elevation of an anvil wrench.

FIG. 64 is a side elevation of an anvil apparatus with the ring portionof an anvil wrench engaged therein.

FIG. 65 is a top view of a rivet reinforcement washer.

FIG. 66 is a side elevation of a rivet reinforcement washer.

FIG. 67 is a side elevation of a rivet reinforcement washer installed ona medium with a rivet.

FIG. 68 is a top view of a rivet reinforcement washer installed on amedium.

FIG. 69 is a side elevation of a rivet reinforcement washer installed ona medium with a rivet and engaged by a bracket attachment.

FIG. 70 is a side elevation of a rivet reinforcement washer installed ona medium with a rivet and engaged by a tool attachment.

FIG. 71 is a sectional view of a drill cartridge apparatus.

FIG. 72 is a side view of a drill cartridge housing.

FIG. 73 is a top view of a drill cartridge housing.

FIG. 74 is a sectional view of a disassembled drill cartridge apparatus.

FIG. 75 is a sectional view of a drill cartridge apparatus and a drillplug engaged with a drill bracket and medium.

FIG. 76 is a top view of a drill cartridge apparatus and a drill plugengaged with a drill bracket and medium.

FIG. 77 is a side elevation of a magnetic drill guide with raisedmagnets.

FIG. 78 is a bottom view of a magnetic drill guide with raised magnets.

FIG. 79 is a side elevation of a magnetic drill guide with raisedmagnets and attached air cooling apparatus.

FIG. 80 is a bottom view of a magnetic drill guide with raised magnetsand attached air cooling apparatus.

FIG. 81 is a bottom view of a magnetic drill guide with attached aircooling apparatus engaged with a center line positioning apparatus.

FIG. 82 is a side elevation of a magnetic drill guide with countersunkmagnets, mounting eyelets, and attached air cooling apparatus.

FIG. 83 is a bottom view of a magnetic drill guide with countersunkmagnets, mounting eyelets, and attached air cooling apparatus.

FIG. 84 is a side elevation of an unthreaded mounting shaft withfacility for eyelet attachment.

FIG. 85 is an isometric view of a vehicle elevation apparatus with amounting bracket attachment for the engagement of a mounting shaft.

FIG. 86 is a side elevation of a bracket engaged with a medium underrepair with a chain attachment.

FIG. 87 is a side elevation of two brackets engaged on opposing sides ofa medium under repair with a chain attachment.

FIG. 88 is a side elevation of an inverted vector transfer apparatusengaged with a medium under repair.

FIG. 89 is a side elevation of a push jack subtended by brackets engagedwith a medium under repair.

FIG. 90 is a side elevation of push jack bracket.

FIG. 91 is an isometric view of an unthreaded mounting shaft withthreaded stud mounting facility.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a process isprovided for collision repair where the following steps summarize theeffort:

-   -   damage assessment is performed to inform further steps;    -   the collision repair process is invoked where the technician is        to follow the instructions outlined in the proposed process and        make decisions based on the requirements of the work as part of        the process; and    -   upon completion of this process, the technician is ready to        apply forces at appropriate points as required by the work.

The collision repair process noted in the above steps will be betterunderstood with reference to the drawings as listed in the descriptionof drawings above.

The description of the collision repair process will be discussed indetail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. A collision repair process isprovided as in FIG. 1 wherein a flowchart format is used to bestillustrate the steps involved. The collision repair process flowchart iscomprised of several steps which take the form of either an action to betaken or an action preceded by a decision to be made by the technician.Arrows are used to indicate the direction of flow.

The start terminal 1 is the initialization of the collision repairprocess. The technician must identify the damage that is to be repairedusing the process.

The decision 2 offers the technician the option of utilizing a mobile, 4point anchor apparatus whereby the vehicle under repair is raised ontobeams and is anchored thereto while said apparatus may be moved on thework floor as required. This determination is dependent on the locationof the damage on the vehicle where undercarriage damage would stronglysuggest an affirmative response.

The action 3 is invoked if the technician has determined that themobile, 4 point anchor apparatus, such as that in FIG. 8, is requiredfor the work. The anchor apparatus allows the technician to raise thevehicle to the desired height and to anchor appropriately. Aftercompletion of the anchoring, the technician may proceed to implement thehook-up process 4 as described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 below.

If the anchor apparatus is determined to be unnecessary in decision 2,the technician may directly proceed to implement the hook-up process 4as described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 below.

Decision 5 is offered after the successful implementation of the hook-upprocess 4. Stress relief is offered where it is not desirable todirectly apply forces of great magnitude, where anchoring may not be assturdy as desired, or where the ability to apply forces of greatmagnitude is hindered.

If stress relief is determined to be necessary in decision 5, the action6 is to be implemented whereby stress relief is attained by means ofvibration of the medium under repair or impact such as that provided bya hammer, during the application of force, or additional anchoring isperformed at the site of the work.

After the completion of action 6 or if stress relief is determined to beunnecessary in decision 5, the technician is given the option ofproceeding with either action 7 or action 8. Action 7 requires theimplementation of the apparatus of FIG. 9 wherein a device is providedwhich allows the technician to clear obstacles, such as the bumper of avehicle, and to accurately set and lock the vector at which force is tobe applied. The technician may choose to proceed with action 8 whereinforce may be directly applied to the site of the work by means of achain or other pulling or pushing device.

After the completion of either of the actions of 7 or 8, the process maybe concluded with the application of force at a magnitude and vectorappropriate to the work.

A hook-up process is provided as in FIG. 2 wherein a flowchart format isused to best illustrate its intended usage. The hook-up processflowchart is comprised of several steps which take the form of either anaction to be taken or an action preceded by a decision to be made by thetechnician as in FIG. 1. Arrows are used to indicate the direction offlow.

The start terminal 10 is the initialization stage of the process. Atthis stage, a point on the medium to be repaired must be appropriatelychosen to be able to correct damage if force is applied at the correctvector through this location.

The decision 11 offers the technician the option of proceeding with orwithout the use of mounting holes. This determination is dependent onthe site of the work, the magnitude of the force to be applied inrespect of the sustaining ability of the mounting spot, and whether amounting hole is a practical means of attachment of an anchoring device.

The action 12 is invoked if the technician has chosen to proceed withouta hole or holes and is therefore satisfied that a clamping method issufficient to sustain the forces to be applied in correcting the damage.In this case, a pinch clamp may be used as that illustrated in FIG. 3.Once the clamp is attached, the technician may move to the end terminal21 where a device to sustain the application of force may be attached,such as a threaded hook-up shaft, secured chain, etc., and thus theprocess is complete.

The decision 13 is invoked if the technician has determined that the useof a mounting hole or holes is appropriate to the work. In thisdecision, the technician must respond to the question as to whethermounting holes are present and if so, whether these mounting holes areappropriately located.

The action 14 is invoked if the technician determines that a mountinghole or holes must be produced. In order to produce a mounting hole, abracket, as in FIG. 4, must be attached with which a drill cartridge, asin FIG. 5, is engaged in order to produce a hole. The mounting of saidbracket may be achieved by one of three methods from which thetechnician is to choose the most practical given the work. The methodsof mounting the bracket offered to the technician are the use of lockingpliers, as in FIG. 6, a threaded stud welded to the medium, or apiercing punch, as in FIG. 7, in order to create a small diameter holewhere a self-tapping screw is engaged to mount said bracket.

Upon completion of action 14, the technician is offered the option ofusing a bracket in decision 15 with which to engage devices which willsustain the application of force or to directly attach said devices. Ifthe technician chooses to waive the bracket option then the process isagain completed at end terminal 21 in the attachment of said device(s).

If the requirement of the bracket is established in decision 15, thenthe technician is instructed to mount said bracket in action 20 by meansof a threaded rivet, which is to engage a bolt, or a conventional nutand bolt configuration through the newly produced hole(s) in action 14.Once the bracket is secured, the process may again be completed at endterminal 21 as before.

Returning to decision 13, if the technician is able to utilize anyexisting holes then decision 16 may be invoked. Here, the technicianmust decide whether to proceed with the aid of a bracket or to directlymount any devices which will sustain the application of force. If thetechnician chooses to waive the bracket option then the process iscompleted at end terminal 21 as before. If the technician does require abracket for the purposes of mounting any devices which will sustain theapplication of force, then action 17 is to be invoked where the bracketis secured to the medium by means of either a threaded rivet or a nutand bolt configuration as in action 20 above.

The technician may proceed to decision 18 where the requirement of anyadditional hole(s), in order to provide additional mounting strength, isto be determined. If additional holes are not required, the technicianmay proceed to end terminal 21 to complete the process as before. In theevent of additional holes required, the technician may proceed to action19 in order to engage the drill cartridge to produce said hole(s).

Once the requisite hole requirement is satisfied in action 19, thetechnician need only to secure the bracket, by means of threaded rivetor nut and bolt configuration as before, utilizing new mounting hole.The process is then completed at end terminal 21 once any devices whichwill sustain the application of force have been attached.

In an embodiment of the present invention a repair zone will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 10. The vehicle under repair 28 isintended to be brought within a perimeter described by floor anchorpoints 24 which are illustrated in their relative positions in theindustry defined configuration and further situated in the perimeterdescribed by additional floor anchor points 26.

Precise positioning and elevation of the vehicle is attained with theaid of the apparatus which will be described with reference to FIG. 11.The elevation and mobility apparatus 46 is secured to crossbeam 30 and awheel assembly 48 is attached to said crossbeam 30. The combinedelevation and mobility apparatus 46 and the crossbeam 30 is now movedinto position such that the unsecured end of the crossbeam 30 is broughtunder the vehicle 28, perpendicular to its length, and allowed to extendon the other side of the vehicle 28. An additional elevation andmobility apparatus 46 is then secured to the unsecured end of thecrossbeam 30 after the removal of the wheel assembly 48 which isadjustable and removable by screw clamps 42. The elevation of thecrossbeam 30 relative to the elevation and mobility apparatuses 46 isthen configured by the height adjustment bolt 32 which passes through athreaded hole in the crossbeam 30 and then said crossbeam 30 is lockedat desired elevation by lock pins 40 providing perpendicularity oncetightly secured relative to the height of the elevation and mobilityapparatus. The elevation of the elevation and mobility apparatuses 46relative to the floor is then adjustable by means of bolt 34 and lockedby means of screw lever 36.

Final positioning of the vehicle 28 is achieved by maintaining theelevation of the elevation and mobility apparatuses 46 above the floorsuch that the attached wheels 38 are free to move. Immobility isattained by lowering the elevation and mobility apparatuses 46 to thefloor thereby rendering the attached wheels 38 incapable of providingmovement. Should partial immobility be desired, for rotation, saidelevation and mobility apparatuses 46 can be maintained above the floorand said attached wheels 38 can be locked as desired and thus rotationaxis defined.

A second pair of elevation and mobility apparatuses 46 and a crossbeam30 can then be put into position at the other end of the vehicle 28 asrequired by the repair.

The mechanism by which the elevation and mobility apparatus 46 isattached to the crossbeam 30 will be described in detail with referenceto FIG. 15. The height adjustment bolt 68 passes through a self aligningnut 70 of cylindrical shape contained within the hollow end region ofthe crossbeam 72. The axis of rotation of the self aligning nut 70 isdefined by the insertion of the set screw 74 through axis hole 78 in thehollow end region of the crossbeam 72 and into the appropriatelythreaded end of the self aligning nut 70. Thus the necessarymaneuverability of the assembled system, as indicated by the range ofangles through which the height adjustment bolt 80 may pass relative tothe crossbeam 72, is afforded until the requisite height is determinedand the height adjustment bolt 68 is tightened such that crossbeam 72 isbrought perpendicular to the height of the elevation and mobilityapparatus 46 with the aid of lock pins 40.

Securing the final position of the elevation and mobility apparatus 46,before repair, will be described with reference to FIG. 12. Base clamps50 are brought into contact with the elevation and mobility apparatuses46 at those points on the floor deemed critical under stress and saidbase clamps are secured to floor anchor points 24 or 26 as convenient.Securing to floor anchor points 24 or 26 is achieved by passing thefloor anchor bolt 52 through the saw-toothed washer 54 and then passingsaid assembly through the base clamp 50, and potentially throughappropriately provided anchoring holes 44 on the elevation and mobilityapparatus 46, into the threaded floor anchor points 24 or 26 such thatthe teeth of said saw-toothed washer 54 come into contact with thesaw-toothed edges of the base clamp 50 thereby eliminating movementunder stress.

Securing of the vehicle 28 to the combined apparatus will be describedwith reference to FIG. 13. Two adjustable clamps 56 are attached to asection of crossbeam 58 between the elevation and mobility apparatuses46 and are spaced according to the distance between the lower sills onthe undercarriage of the vehicle 28 and are locked into position bymeans of bolts 60. Said distance varies by brand and model of vehicle 28however the present invention provides universal accommodation for thisdistance by means of said adjustability. The adjustable clamps 56 arethen tightened to the lower sills on the undercarriage of the vehicle 28by means of clamp bolts 62 thus completing the preparation process forrepair.

Further, spot anchoring is achieved with higher resolution thanconventional systems which are typically floor anchored. Such anchoringmeans will be described with reference to FIG. 14. A chain anchor point66 is affixed to a section of crossbeam 64 at a point outside theperimeter of the vehicle 28 thereby providing anchoring means.Similarly, chain anchor points 66 may be affixed to the elevation andmobility apparatuses 46 providing additional anchoring points. Such highresolution anchoring in the present invention allows the stress ofrepair to be localized to the damaged region thereby reducing secondarydamage which is prevalent in conventional systems.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method isprovided for the attachment of an appropriate threaded shaft inpreparation for the further attachment of devices enabling theapplication of force. The attachment of the threaded shaft is performedaccording to the following steps:

-   -   selection of mounting method according to material thickness,        accessibility, and the distribution of forces required by the        work;    -   selection of threaded shaft appropriate to the choice of        mounting method; and    -   engagement of the threaded shaft with the medium, either        directly or by means of bracket, and this finalization of        preparation for the attachment of further devices to provide        means for the application of force to the affected region.

The apparatus required to perform the steps outlined above will bebetter understood with reference to the figures listed in thedescription of drawings above.

The description of the directly mountable threaded shafts will bediscussed with reference to FIGS. 16 through 20. A threaded shaft isprovided as in FIG. 16 such that it has a threaded outer cylinder 78, asmaller diameter threaded bolt 82 for engagement with a nut 80 through amedium 76. The threaded shaft is also provided with a square socket 84to facilitate engagement with a wrench, such as an impact wrench,commonly available to the mechanic. This threaded shaft is furtherillustrated in FIG. 17 having square a socket 86.

A threaded shaft is provided as in FIG. 18 for applications where themedium 94 with which the threaded shaft is to be engaged is providedwith an installed threaded rivet 92. Similar to the threaded shaft ofFIG. 16, the threaded shaft of FIG. 18 is provided with a threaded outercylinder 90, a square socket 98, and a smaller diameter threaded bolt 96to engage the installed threaded rivet 92. This threaded shaft isfurther provided with an annular cavity 88 to eliminate the obstructionposed by the head of the installed threaded rivet 92 when the threadedshaft is in full abutment of the medium.

A threaded shaft is provided as in FIG. 19 for applications where themedium 106 with which the threaded shaft is to be engaged is of reducedmaterial rigidity requiring the additional rigidity afforded by thedeformation of said medium 106. Similar to the threaded shaft of FIG.18, the threaded shaft of FIG. 19 is provided with a threaded outercylinder 102, a square socket 110, and a smaller diameter threaded bolt108 to engage the forming nut 104 through the medium 106. The formingnut 104 is provided with an annular depression which forms the negativeof the positive forming shape 100 allowing the deformation of the medium106 when the threaded shaft is fully engaged with said medium 106 andforming nut 104.

A threaded shaft is provided as in FIG. 20 for specific automotiveapplications where portions of the undercarriage of a vehicle aresuitably designed, such as the undercarriage of a BMW automobile, toengage the twist and lock mechanism comprised of key 112 and lock 114.Similar to the threaded shaft of FIG. 19, the threaded shaft of FIG. 20is provided with a threaded outer cylinder 116 and further may beprovided with a square socket 110.

The description of the bracket mountable threaded shaft will be betterunderstood with reference to FIGS. 21 through 25. A bracket mountablethreaded shaft is provided as in FIG. 21 for applications where abracket is first engaged with a medium and subsequently a threaded shaftis required to be engaged with said bracket. Similar to the threadedshafts of FIGS. 16 through 20, the threaded shaft of FIG. 21 is providedwith a threaded outer cylinder 124, a square socket 118 to facilitateengagement with a wrench, and a smaller diameter threaded bolt 122 notexceeding the length of the threaded region of the intended bracket.This threaded shaft is further provided with a barrier form 120 intendedfor fitting the format of the bracket providing additional matingstrength with said bracket.

A right angle bracket and threaded shaft are engaged as in FIG. 22. Oncethe bracket 126 is mounted to a medium, an engaged threaded shaft has afree threaded outer cylinder 128 for the purposes of furtherattachments. A threaded shaft may be engaged at either or both planes ofthe right angle bracket 126 and it is understood that flat brackets orbrackets of other configurations may be used to engage a threaded shaft.

A vise equipped with one tightening point and a threaded shaft areprovided as in FIG. 23. The single point vise 130 is configured similarto the bracket of FIG. 22 in that it may be engaged with the threadedshaft 132. Said vise configuration is intended for applications where asuitable anchoring point is available such as the pinch well along theundercarriage of a vehicle.

A vise equipped with two tightening points and a threaded shaft areprovided as in FIG. 24. The double point vise 134 is similar to thebracket of FIG. 22 and the single point vise of FIG. 23 in that it maybe engaged with the threaded shaft 136. The use of a double point vise134 facilitates the distribution of force among its points of contact.It is understood that vises equipped with multiple tightening points maybe used without departing from the scope of the invention.

A MacPherson strut housing mountable bracket and threaded shaft areprovided as in FIG. 25. The MacPherson strut housing bracket 144 isequipped with swivel arms 146 in order to accommodate varying housingdimensions. The swivel arms 146 are further provided with plugs 142which are intended to engage holes at the three points common toMacPherson strut housings. A threaded shaft 142 may be engaged by theMacPherson strut housing bracket 144 by means of the threaded receptacle140.

A description of an unthreaded mounting shaft with an eyelet attachmentfacility will be discussed with reference to FIG. 84. A mounting shaft692 is provided with an internal thread to engage an appropriatelythreaded eyelet 690 which may then be used to engage a chain or hook forthe application of force according to the requirements of the operator.It is understood that said mounting shaft 692 may be equipped with anyof the mounting configurations as described above with reference toFIGS. 16 to 25. It is further understood that the threaded shafts, asdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 16 to 25, may be of aconfiguration lacking external threads along the axis of the shaftwhilst retaining mounting and attachment facilities.

A description of an unthreaded mounting shaft with threaded studmounting platform will be discussed with reference to FIG. 91. Amounting shaft 760 is provided with an internal thread to engage athreaded eyelet as above. The mounting shaft 760 is equipped with anadditional internal thread on its opposing end to engage a threaded studon mounting platform 762. Said mounting platform 762 may be magneticallyheld to the work surface in preparation for welding to said surface. Aclearance recess 764 is provided in order to facilitate removal of saidmounting platform 762 by means of prying away from the work surfaceafter the completion of the action of repair. The mounting shaft 760 isshown provided with wrench tightening facility 766 which is configuredto allow the engagement of a wrench which would be commonly available inthe shop of the operator. It is understood that said wrench tighteningfacility 766 may be incorporated into any of the above mentionedmounting shafts. It is also understood that said clearance recess 764may be of varying configurations allowing clearance of obstacles tomounting in addition to providing above mentioned facility for pryingsaid mounting platform 762 away from the surface of the work.

A description of a mounting bracket to engage the above describedthreaded and unthreaded mounting shafts will be discussed with referenceto FIG. 85. A mounting shaft bracket 696 is provided with a receptacle694 to engage mounting shafts as those discussed with reference to FIGS.16 through 25 and FIG. 84. Said mounting shaft bracket 696 is shown tobe readily mounted to a vehicle elevation apparatus but may additionallybe configured to mount to surfaces as required by the work. A tighteningscrew facility 695 is provided such that the elevation of the engagedmounting shaft within the hollow of said bracket 696 may be adjusted andsecured by the operator.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the followingsteps are provided in order to effectively implement the apparatusherein:

-   -   an anchor point is established at the site, such as a point on a        vehicle body or frame, at which force is desired to be        introduced in order correct material damage or distortion;    -   the vector transfer apparatus, and appropriately chosen        attachment engaged therewith, is engaged at said anchor point        and appropriately configured as to the direction of desired        force application; and    -   force is applied at the accessible end of the vector transfer        apparatus in order to effectively transfer corrective forces to        said anchor point.

The apparatus required to perform the above steps will be betterunderstood with reference to the drawings as listed in the descriptionof drawings above.

The description of the vector transfer apparatus will be discussed withreference to FIGS. 26 to 30 and FIG. 88. A vector transfer apparatus isprovided as in FIG. 26 comprised of an internally threaded cylinder 150with which to engage an appropriately gauged threaded shaft at theanchor point, a vector lock mechanism 152 enabling the operator toadjust the angle of engagement through a range of approximately 120degrees at approximately fifteen degree increments, a straight arm 154affixed to said vector lock mechanism 152 at an angle allowing theoperator to clear obstructions to the work between the anchor point andthe free end of the straight arm 154, a chain 156 affixed to the freeend of the straight arm 154 as an example of a point on which force maybe exerted in a direction away from the body of the vector lockmechanism 152. The chain 156 may be substituted with an assortment ofmeans functioning to facilitate the application of force by engaging thefree end of said straight arm 154.

The structure of the vector transfer apparatus of FIG. 26 is furtherilluminated in the side view illustration of FIG. 27. The apparatus iscomprised of an internally threaded cylinder 158, a vector lockmechanism 160, a straight arm 162, and a chain 164 as that in FIG. 26.

A modified configuration of the vector transfer apparatus is provided asin FIG. 28. The apparatus is similarly comprised of an internallythreaded cylinder 166 and a vector lock mechanism 168 as in FIGS. 26 and27. The straight arm 170 is affixed parallel to the lower edge of thevector lock mechanism 168 in contrast to the previous figuresfacilitating the clearing of obstructions which may differ from thoseaddressed in the previous configurations. The apparatus is provided witha chain attachment 172 as before.

A vector transfer apparatus with an adjustable arm attachment isprovided as in FIG. 29. This apparatus comprises an internally threadedcylinder 176 and a vector lock mechanism 178 as before. The apparatus isshown engaged with a threaded shaft 174 as that which would be presentat the anchor site. A straight arm connector 180, affixed to the vectorlock mechanism 178, is provided equipped with a facility to mate with afurther arm attachment 182 configured to slide within the hollow of saidstraight arm connector 180. The arm attachment 182 is secured to theapparatus by means of length locking bolt 190 passing through a guidehole in the straight arm connector 180 and then through the operatorselected hole, chosen from spaced holes provided on the arm attachment182, and engaged with a nut on the opposing side to hold said lengthlocking bolt 190, and thus the arm attachment 182, firmly in place. Thearm attachment 182 is further provided with height adjustment of endpiece 188, allowed mobility within the lower chamber, by means of screw184 which at full engagement of appropriately provided thread will lockend piece 188 at required position relative to lower chamber. A chain186 is shown attached to said end piece 188 as in previously describedconfigurations.

A vector transfer apparatus with an attached chain tightening mechanismis provided as in FIG. 30. This apparatus comprises an internallythreaded cylinder 194 and a vector lock mechanism 190 as before and isshown engaged with a threaded shaft 192 as that which would be presentat the anchor site. The vector lock mechanism 190 is provided such thatit may be engaged with a chain tightening mechanism 196, commonlyavailable to the collision repair technician, as shown. The chaintightening mechanism 196 has a chain 198 attached similar to theconfigurations previously described.

An inverted vector transfer apparatus is provided as in FIG. 88. Theinverted vector transfer apparatus 724 is provided with facility toengage a mounted shaft 722 which is further mounted to the medium underrepair 720. The vector transfer apparatus 724 is supported against themedium 720 by support 728 of material sufficient to withstand distortionunder the stresses applied to the chain attachment 726 and serves todistribute forces applied and prevent rotation about the mounting pointof mounted shaft 722 where the desired application of force is along thelongitudinal axis of the medium 720. Any of the vector transferapparatuses may be used in said inverted fashion as required by the workwhere the operator may find the non-inverted usage impractical or wherethe forces needed to be applied are better aligned with the invertedvector apparatus 724.

A detailed description of the vector lock mechanism will be discussedwith reference to FIGS. 31 and 32. A vector lock mechanism is providedas in FIG. 31 comprising an internally threaded cylinder 202, upper lockbolt 196, lower lock bolt 200, mounting panel 194, and angle settingholes such as hole 198 bored on said mounting panel 194. The lower lockbolt 200 may be removed to allow the operator to rotate the internallythreaded cylinder 202 about the axis of the installed upper locking bolt196. Said internally threaded cylinder 202 may be rotated, relative tomounting panel 194, to the desired angle and then set at said angle bymeans of reinserting and securing said lower locking bolt 200 at theappropriate hole passing through mounting plate 194, locking boltfixture of the internally threaded cylinder 202, and the opposingmounting plate. A threaded shaft 192 is shown to be engaged with thevector lock mechanism illustrating the facility of the unit to berotated about the axis of the threaded shaft 192, maintaining theengagement, allowing the operator to position the vector lock mechanismaccording to the requirements of the work in this plane.

A vector lock mechanism is provided as in FIG. 32 wherein the lockingbolt fixtures are exposed. Similar to FIG. 31, this vector lockmechanism comprises an internally threaded cylinder 214, upper lock bolt208, lower lock bolt 212, mounting panel 206, and angle setting holessuch as hole 210 bored on said mounting panel 206. Said internallythreaded cylinder 214 is shown with locking bolt fixtures configuredsuch that when abutted with mounting panel 206, the upper locking boltmay pass through upper fixture and lower fixture may be aligned witheach of the holes in mounting panel 206 such as hole 210 allowing theengagement of lower locking bolt 212 at the desired angle. Holes in themounting panel 206 are provided, along the abutment path of said lowerfixture, allowing a rotation range about the axis of the installed upperlocking bolt 208 of approximately 120 degrees at approximately fifteendegree setting increments. It is understood that holes may be providedin this path for varying rotation ranges at varying setting incrementswithout departing from the spirit of the present invention. A threadedshaft 204 is illustrated to be engaged with the vector lock mechanism asin FIG. 31 and similarly this configuration allows rotation of the unitabout said threaded shaft 204.

A vector transfer apparatus is provided as in FIG. 33 where a pullinghook 218 is used to provide corrective forces. The arm attachment 222 isprovided as before to clear obstacles to the work. A high resolutionvector lock mechanism comprised of an internally threaded cylinder 224,a rotation window 226, and an adjustment bolt 228 provides adjustabilityof the vector transfer apparatus through the full range of anglesdefined by the rotation window 226. The rotation of the adjustment bolt228 about its axis provides the means to set the angle of the armattachment 222 relative to the static angle adopted by the internallythreaded cylinder 224. The adjustment bolt 228 is prevented from motionparallel to its axis by means of bushings. The high resolution vectorlock mechanism is anchored to the site of the work by means of theinternally threaded cylinder 224 engaged with a bracket 220 which isfurther engaged with the medium 216 on which work is to be performed.Anchoring at the site of the work includes but is not limited to theimplementation of the bracket 220.

A vector transfer apparatus is provided as in FIG. 34 where a pullinghook 236 is used to provide corrective forces as before. This vectortransfer apparatus comprises the same components as those of FIG. 33 andis shown engaged with a bracket 234. The head of the adjustment bolt 230is shown to be accessible and operable by tools readily available to thetechnician. Removable locking pin 244 is used to engage the adjustmentbolt 230 with the internally threaded cylinder 240 and removable lockingpin 232, which additionally provides an axis of rotation for said vectortransfer apparatus, is used to engage arm attachment 242 with saidinternally threaded cylinder 240.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a process isprovided for the establishment of an anchor point, a hook-up spot, on amedium in preparation for the application of corrective forces where thefollowing steps summarize the effort:

-   -   a point on a damaged or distorted contiguous medium, such as the        body or frame of a vehicle having been involved in a collision,        is chosen as the best suited for force to be applied to correct        said damage;    -   the hook-up process is invoked where the mechanic is to follow        the instructions outlined in the proposed process and make        decisions based on the requirements of the work as part of the        process; and    -   upon completion of this process, the mechanic is provided the        facility to attach those devices which will sustain the        application of force, such as a threaded hook-up shaft, bolted        chain, etc., while achieving the desired repair.

The hook-up process noted in the above steps will be better understoodwith reference to the drawings as listed in the description of drawingsabove.

The description of the hook-up process will be discussed in detail withreference to FIGS. 35 to 40. A hook-up process is provided as in FIG. 35wherein a flowchart format is used to best illustrate its intendedusage. The hook-up process flowchart is comprised of several steps whichtake the form of either an action to be taken or an action preceded by adecision to be made by the mechanic. Arrows are used to indicate thedirection of flow.

The start terminal 248 is the initialization stage of the process. Atthis stage, a point on the medium to be repaired must be chosenappropriate to be able to correct damage if force is applied at thecorrect vector through this location.

The decision 250 offers the mechanic the option of proceeding with orwithout the use of mounting holes. This determination is dependent onthe site of the work, the magnitude of the force to be applied inrespect of the sustaining ability of the mounting spot, and whether amounting hole is a practical means of attachment of an anchoring device.

The action 252 is invoked if the mechanic has chosen to proceed withouta hole or holes and is therefore satisfied that a clamping method issufficient to sustain the forces to be applied in correcting the damage.In this case, a pinch clamp may be used as that illustrated in FIG. 36.Once the clamp is attached, the mechanic may move to the end terminal270 where a device to sustain the application of force may be attached,such as a threaded hook-up shaft, bolted chain, etc., and thus theprocess is complete.

The decision 254 is invoked if the mechanic has determined that the useof a mounting hole or holes is appropriate to the work. In thisdecision, the mechanic must respond to the question as to whethermounting holes are present and if so, whether these mounting holes areappropriately located.

The action 256 is invoked if the mechanic determines that a mountinghole or holes must be produced. In order to produce a mounting hole, auniversal bracket, as in FIG. 37, must be attached with which a drillcartridge, as in FIG. 38, is engaged in order to produce a hole. Themounting of said bracket may be achieved by one of three methods fromwhich the mechanic is to choose the most practical given the work. Themethods of mounting the bracket offered to the mechanic are the use oflocking pliers, as in FIG. 39, a threaded stud welded to the medium, ora piercing punch, as in FIG. 40, in order to create a small diameterhole where a self-tapping screw is engaged to mount said bracket.

Upon completion of action 256, the mechanic is offered the option ofusing a universal bracket in decision 258 with which to engage deviceswhich will sustain the application of force or to directly attach saiddevices. If the mechanic chooses to waive the bracket option then theprocess is again completed at end terminal 270 in the attachment of saiddevice(s).

If the requirement of the universal bracket is established in decision258, then the mechanic is instructed to mount said bracket in action 268by means of a threaded rivet, which is to engage a bolt, or aconventional nut and bolt configuration through the newly producedhole(s) in action 256. Once the bracket is secured, the process mayagain be completed at end terminal 270 as before.

Returning to decision 254, if the mechanic is able to utilize anyexisting holes then decision 260 may be invoked. Here, the mechanic mustdecide whether to proceed with the aid of a bracket or to directly mountany devices which will sustain the application of force. If the mechanicchooses to waive the bracket option then the process is completed at endterminal 270 as before. If the mechanic does require a bracket for thepurposes of mounting any devices which will sustain the application offorce, then action 262 is to be invoked where the bracket is secured tothe medium by means of either a threaded rivet or a nut and boltconfiguration as in action 268 above.

The mechanic may proceed to decision 264 where the requirement of anyadditional hole(s), in order to provide additional mounting strength, isto be determined. If additional holes are not required, the mechanic mayproceed to end terminal 270 to complete the process as before. In theevent of additional holes required, the mechanic may proceed to action266 in order to engage the drill cartridge to produce said hole(s).

Once the requisite hole requirement is satisfied in action 266, themechanic need only to secure the universal bracket, by means of threadedrivet or nut and bolt configuration as before, utilizing new mountinghole. The process is then completed at end terminal 270 once any deviceswhich will sustain the application of force have been attached.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for the installation of arepair bracket at the site of the work in order to facilitate drilling,rivet installation, anchor establishment on the medium. The installationprocess is performed according to the following steps:

-   -   selection of the repair bracket according to the intended action        or actions to be performed;    -   affixation of the repair bracket to the medium by a means in        accordance with the accessibility of the work, the requirements        of the work, and the characteristics of the medium;    -   engagement of an attachment such as a drill guide, rivet press,        anchor, etc., with the affixed repair bracket;    -   performance of the action of repair; and removal of the affixed        repair bracket after completion of the repair process.

The apparatus required to perform the above steps will be betterunderstood with reference to the drawings below as listed in thedescription of drawings above.

The description of the universal repair bracket will be discussed indetail with reference to FIGS. 41 through 48. A right angle repairbracket is provided as in FIG. 41 comprised of platform walls such aswall 274, attachment receptacles such as receptacle 276 which may or maynot be threaded or tapered dependent on the configuration of theintended attachment, exhaust paths such as exhaust path 278 which allowthe removal of debris at the surface of the medium at the site of thework, and mounting holes such as mounting hole 280 which allow thebracket to be affixed to the medium by various means. A right anglerepair bracket is provided as in FIG. 42 where the configuration of theplatform wall 282, the attachment receptacle 284, and the mounting hole286 are further illustrated from a work side view. FIG. 43 provides anadditional view of the right angle bracket highlighting the relativescaling of the platform wall 290 and the attachment receptacle 292.

A flat repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 44 where a single planeplatform wall 298 has attachment receptacles such as attachmentreceptacle 294 and a centrally located mounting hole 296. A work sideview of the flat repair bracket of FIG. 44 is provided in FIG. 45showing attachment receptacle 304 equipped with exhaust paths as in FIG.41, the centrally located mounting hole 302, and the platform wall 300.

A flat repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 46 mounted to a medium 308where the attachment receptacle is shown to be tapered unlike those ofFIGS. 41 through 45 facilitating engagement with like attachments. Awasher 310 is shown engaged with the work end of the attachmentreceptacle where said washer may be mounted to the medium 308 by meansof weld and when fitted with the repair bracket, provides additionalload bearing capacity for the entire repair bracket system shouldadditional load bearing capacity be required by the work.

An adjustable mount repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 47 where saidbracket is equipped with an anchor 318 should load be desired to beapplied thereto. This repair bracket has movable attachment receptaclessuch as receptacle 322 tightened into position by bolts such as bolts314 and 316 and further locked into position by the serrated side 320 ofthe repair bracket. Said attachment receptacles can additionally betightened or held in their desired positions by a nut with a handle suchas devices 312 and 324. The movement of said attachment receptaclesoffers the technician the ability to define the relative distancebetween mounting points as desired thereby providing greater flexibilityin avoiding obstacles, utilizing existing holes, or in drilling newholes.

An adjustable mount repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 48 where thework side of the bracket is illustrated with attachment receptacles 326and 328. The anchor 330 is drawn with dashed lines to indicate itsposition to be on the opposing side and the serrated surface 332 isshown to be on the work side in order to engage said attachmentreceptacles 326 and 328 once tightened into position.

Implementation of an adjustable mount repair bracket is shown as in FIG.49 where the repair bracket is affixed to medium 334 which has damagerequiring correction 336. The medium 334 pictured here is similar tothat of a automobile frame where a rectangular hollow pipe is common.The repair bracket may be mounted as shown utilizing existing holes tomount attachment receptacles such as 338 that may be tightened from theinterior of the pipelike frame by wrench 346. Three such attachmentreceptacles are shown where the rightmost receptacle is used as a guidefor drill bit 340 rotated by power tool 342 in order that further holesmay be produced in order to secure the repair bracket to said medium asrequired by the work. The anchor 344 is shown to be free to bear theforce required to correct damage 336 at the appropriate vector as chosenby the operator. The number and functionality of attachment receptaclesengaged on such a repair bracket are only limited by the length of thebody of said repair bracket.

A variation on the mounting technique used to affix a right angle repairbracket is provided as in FIG. 50 where locking pliers 354 hasadjustability along adjustment shaft 356 with arm 348 forcing rightangle bracket 350 against medium 352. The centrally located hole of thebracket as shown in FIGS. 41, 42, 44, and 45 may be used as an interfaceto force the right angle bracket 350 against the medium with saidlocking pliers.

The locking pliers method of affixing the right angle bracket to amedium is provided as before in FIG. 51 where attachments are shown tobe engaged with said right angle bracket. A drill guide 358 is engagedwith said right angle repair bracket on the plane of the medium facingwest whereas an additional attachment 360 is simultaneously engaged withthe plane of the medium facing south thereby illustrating the facilityof the repair bracket in allowing dual plane simultaneous functionality.

A repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 52 in order to illustrate thefunctionality of the repair bracket in allowing the operator to use saidbracket in conjunction with a drill guide 368 in order to produce evenlyspaced holes, distance between said holes being defined by the relativedistances of the attachment receptacles of the repair bracket 366,through the wall of a medium 364 having a similar configuration as thoseof FIGS. 50 and 51. A plug attachment 370 is used to affix the repairbracket 366 to the work face of the medium while a drill guide 368 isengaged with the free attachment receptacle of the bracket and drillingaction is performed. Once a hole is produced, the plug attachment 370may be used to affix the repair bracket 366 to the medium at the site ofthe newly produced hole thereby again freeing the other attachmentreceptacle to produce an additional hole with the aid of said drillguide. Additional holes may be produced by repeating this method asdesired resulting in evenly spaced holes such as holes 362.

A description of a chain equipped bracket will be discussed withreference to FIG. 86 and FIG. 87. A chain equipped bracket 702 isprovided as in FIG. 86 having an extended chain 704 facilitating theapplication of force. Said bracket 702 may be mounted to medium 700 atlocation 706 by welding or nut-and-bolt configuration as shown.

Two chain equipped brackets 710 and 716 having extended chains 712 and714, respectively, are provided as in FIG. 87 mounted at locations 708and 718 on opposing sides of a medium under repair providing theoperator additional facility to apply force as may be required by thework and where access to the work area may allow.

A description of the push jack bracket will be discussed with referenceto FIGS. 89 and 90. Push jack brackets 734 and 730 of male and femaleconfigurations, respectively, are provided as in FIG. 89. A push jack732, commonly available to the technician, is shown engaged with saidbrackets 734 and 730 which are further engaged with medium 736subtending the region of damage 736 to be repaired. Said configurationallows the application of force, provided by said push jack 732, alongthe longitudinal axis of the medium 738 as required in order to correctthe region of damage 736. It is understood that either the male pushjack bracket 734 or female push jack bracket 730 may be used to engagethe push jack 732 without the aid of the other as required by the work.

A male push jack bracket is provided as in FIG. 90. Said push jackbracket is provided with a male element 740 in order to engage thefemale end of a push jack such as push jack 732 of FIG. 89. Engagementof & said push jack may be accomplished at any point between positions746 and 754 through a range of angles 742 greater than ninety degrees.Said push jack bracket is mounted to medium 752 by means of bolt 750 oris welded at points such as 748 or both means may be used to mount saidpush jack bracket. Said apparatus is provided with a bolt clearancerecess 744 in order to allow the free rotation of the push jack throughthe range of angles 742 as described above without being obstructed bybolt 750. The range of angles 742 allows force to be applied at variouspoints as required by the work. It is understood that the female pushjack bracket is similarly configured with the exception that it has afemale element as opposed to the male element 740 as described above.

In yet another embodiment, a method is provided for the installation ofa threaded blind rivet. The process of installation is performedaccording to the following steps:

-   -   measurement of medium wall thickness into which threaded blind        rivet is to be installed;    -   selection of the length of threaded blind rivet to be used        according to information provided by wall thickness gauge which        may be correspondingly coded by colour or otherwise;    -   engagement of the threaded blind rivet with the threaded lower        portion of a mandrel which is inserted into the bore of an        appropriately sized anvil; and    -   deforming of the shank of the rivet, and thus installation        within the medium, with the aid of the composite device        consisting of the mandrel, anvil, a custom wrench and rotation        force applied thereon.

The apparatus required to perform the above steps will be betterunderstood with reference to the drawings as listed above.

The measurement of medium wall thickness will be discussed withreference to FIG. 53. A wall thickness gauge 374 is provided having awidth less than the diameter of the hole intended to house the rivet.Preferably, the length of wall thickness gauge 374 is suitable forfitting into the palm of the hand of the operator and its material is ofa minimum thickness and rigidity allowing operation in the intendedenvironment without deformation. Said wall thickness gauge 374 isprovided such that is has slots 376 and 380 and the hole 378 providedfor attachment to a chain or otherwise for simple portability. Saidslots 376 and 380 are of equal dimension perpendicular to the length ofwall thickness gauge 374 sufficient to engage the medium wall andprovide the operator with a relative reading of thickness and are ofdiffering dimensions parallel to the length of the wall thickness gauge374 offering depths corresponding to the lower range of medium wallthickness for which the method and apparatus for the installation ofthreaded blind rivets is to be utilized.

A wall thickness gauge 382 is provided which is similarly equipped withslots 384 and 388 and the hole 386 through its geometric center as thoseof wall thickness gauge 374 and is of equal length, width, material andmaterial thickness to said wall thickness gauge 374. Slots 384 and 388are provided such that their dimensions perpendicular to the length ofwall thickness gauge 382 are equal to those of slots 376 and 380 of wallthickness gauge 374. Slot 384 is provided such that its dimensionparallel to the length of wall thickness gauge 382 is marginally greaterthan that of slot 376. Slot 388 is provided such that its dimensionparallel to the length of wall thickness gauge 382 represents the upperlimit of medium wall thickness for which the method and apparatus forthe installation of threaded blind rivets is to be utilized.

Said wall thickness gauges are employed by insertion of the head intothe hole intended for the installation of the rivet into the medium andengaging of the slot with the thickness of said medium. The wallthickness gauge which allows the engagement of the thickness of themedium of one slot and does not allow the engagement of the thickness ofthe medium with the other slot provides the operator with the range forwhich a corresponding length of rivet is assigned. The assignment ofsaid rivet lengths is environment dependent and it is understood thatany number of gauges with appropriate slot dimensions may be used withassignments to any number of rivet lengths, if resolution of lengthsshould need to increase, without departing from the scope of theinvention.

The threaded blind rivet and the desired installation outcome of saidrivet will be discussed with reference to FIG. 54. A rivet 390 isprovided such that it is of length previously selected, of diameterappropriate to the hole of intended installation, is internallythreaded, and is provided with an annular flange 392. Said rivet 390 maybe provided with a coating of commercially available retaining compoundto coat the outer surface of said rivet 390 including the under surfaceof said flange 392. Said retaining compound is chosen such that itsretaining capability is only activated under application of pressurewhich the rivet 390 will endure during the installation process and willcure under anaerobic conditions provided by the compressed rivet 394after installation in the medium 398. The compressed rivet 394, ifcoated, will adhere to any surface of the medium 398 to which it isinstalled with the aid of said retaining compound at any point ofcontact with said medium 398 between the under surface of the flange ofsaid compressed rivet 394 and the ring 396 formed during the compressionand thus distortion of said rivet. Once cured at the site ofinstallation, said retaining compound further prevents movement of saidcompressed rivet 394 within the allotted hole thus increasing itsability to function under stress beyond that provided by mechanicalcoupling.

Further, an anvil assembly is provided in accordance with the presentinvention and will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 55 to 61.

An hollow anvil body 400 is provided as in the cross-section of saidanvil body 400 shown in FIG. 55 having an hollow bore through its centerconsisting of an upper chamber 402 and a lower chamber 404. Said hollowanvil body 400 is equipped with two rounded slots 406 on opposing sidesat equal elevation.

A mandrel 408 is provided as shown in FIG. 56 such that it has a largertop portion thread 410 suitable to engage a large nut, a smaller lowerportion thread 414 suitable to engage a rivet and the hole 412 throughits center. Said mandrel 408 is of a length allowing said threads 410and 414 to be spaced at a distance greater than the length of the lowerchamber 404 within the hollow anvil body 400.

Assembly of said mandrel and said hollow anvil body is shown in FIG. 57where the inserted mandrel 418 passes through the anvil body 416. Saidlower thread 414 of said mandrel 418 will emerge through the bottomportion of said hollow anvil body 416 at a length sufficient to fullyengage a threaded rivet. Said upper thread 410 of said mandrel 418 willemerge into upper chamber 402 of said hollow anvil body 416 at a lengthsufficient to engage a nut.

A nut 422 is provided as in FIG. 58 such that it will engage the upperthread 410 of a mandrel 430. A washer 424 and a thrust bearing 426 areprovided within the upper chamber 402 of an hollow anvil body 420 tocreate a reactionary force when said nut 422 is caused to be threadedupon said mandrel 430 and to maintain applied forces parallel to theaxis of rotation thereby reducing the possibility of friction betweensaid mandrel 430 and said hollow anvil body 420.

A pin 428 is provided such that it will pass through the hollow anvilbody 420, at the rounded slots 406 provided for this purpose, andthrough the body of the mandrel 430, at the hole 412 provided for thispurpose, thus restricting the relative rotation of said hollow anvilbody 420 and said mandrel 430. The pin 428 is additionally restricted tomovement along the length axis of the anvil assembly by the roundedslots 406 thereby providing a means of limiting the movement of saidmandrel 430 along this axis thus limiting deformation of the compressedrivet 394. For further clarification, the side view of a pin 444 passingthrough an hollow anvil body 440 and a mandrel 442 is shown in FIG. 60and the top view of a pin 448 passing through an anvil and mandrelassembly 446 is shown in FIG. 61.

Upon the application of force to a nut 434, as shown in FIG. 59, againstthe upper thread 408 of a mandrel 438, said mandrel 438 will be drawnupward through the hollow anvil body 432 along the length axis of therounded slots 406 where the rotation of said mandrel 438 is restrictedby means of the inserted pin 436. A rivet engaged with the lower thread412 of said mandrel 438 will be forced against the hollow anvil body 432at its lower end thereby generating the force required to compress saidrivet thereby fixing it within the medium as indicated in FIG. 54.

An anvil wrench will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 62 to 64. Ananvil wrench 454, as shown from the top in FIG. 62, is provided toengage a pin 476 passing through the assembly of FIG. 64. Once engaged,the anvil wrench 454 is used to control the rotation of said assembly.The anvil wrench 454 provided thus is equipped with a ring 450 ofdiameter sufficient to pass freely over the hollow anvil body 470. Twoslots 456 are positioned on said ring 450 such that a line joining saidslots would be perpendicular to the shaft of the anvil wrench 454 in thesame plane and such that said slots 456 will freely engage said pin 476.The anvil wrench 454 is fitted with a first attachment 452 perpendicularto the plane of the shaft of said anvil wrench 454.

A first attachment 460, as shown in the side view of an anvil wrench inFIG. 63, is provided such that it can support a second attachment 462thereto in a plane parallel to that of the anvil wrench 464. Two slots468, positioned on the ring portion 458 of anvil wrench 464, are shownin the shape desired for engagement with a pin 476 of FIG. 64 and thusrotational manipulation of said assembly of FIG. 64 is afforded.

The ring portion 472 of an anvil wrench 470 is shown in engagement of apin 476 in FIG. 64. The geometry of slots 468 allows rotation along thelength axis of said assembly of FIG. 64 to be restricted to that desiredby manipulation of the anvil wrench 474.

During the installation of a threaded rivet, the anvil wrench 474 isengaged with the assembly of FIG. 64 such that when force is applied toa nut 434 against the upper thread 410 of mandrel 438, only movementalong the length axis of the assembly of FIG. 64 is permitted. Onehanded operation of the apparatus for the installation of threaded blindrivets is permitted when a powered tool, commonly available to themechanic, is used to engage the nut 434 such that said powered tool ispressed against said second attachment 462 of anvil wrench 464 and isallowed to rest against said first attachment 460.

In another aspect of the present invention, the device provided is to beinstalled at the site of the work where a rivet has been previouslyinstalled in a medium. The implementation of the present invention willbe better understood with reference to the drawings as listed in thedescription of drawings above.

The description of the rivet reinforcement washer will be discussed withreference to FIGS. 65 to 68. A rivet reinforcement washer 480 isprovided as in FIG. 65 comprised of an raised annular support channel toabut and distribute the load, weld holes 482, 486, and 490 to facilitatemounting the washer, a central hole 488 to clear the intended rivetpath, and a moisture exhaust path 484 should moisture or debris collectunder rivet reinforcement washer 480.

A rivet reinforcement washer is shown as in FIG. 66 having a centralhole 492 and a raised annular support channel 494 illustrating thegeometry of said channel 494. This geometry is chosen such that theinner ring is to be closely matched as a negative to the attachmentproviding the greatest surface area of contact and such that the outerring is wedge shaped to provide the greatest possible support understress.

A rivet reinforcement washer is provided as in FIG. 67 where the washer496 is mounted to a medium 498 and where said washer 496 is positionedsuch that there is full access to the internally threaded rivet 500already installed, thereby not interfering with the utility of theinternally threaded rivet.

A rivet reinforcement washer is provided as in FIG. 68 mounted on amedium 502. The washer 504 is mounted to said medium by means of welds506, 508, and 510 along the outer flange of said washer. Due to the lowprofile of washer 504, it may be acceptable to allow it to remainattached after its utility has been exhausted. The washer 504 can beeasily removed after use by sanding at said weld points or by variousother means familiar to the technician should the washer become anobstruction or present cosmetic incongruity after use.

Applications of the rivet reinforcement washer will be discussed withreference to FIGS. 69 and 70. An installed rivet reinforcement washer isshown in FIG. 69 providing load support for a bracket attachment 512 andoffering access to the rivet 516 installed in medium 518. The inner ringof the raised channel of washer 514 is shown fully abutting the lowerportion of the bracket attachment thereby providing the greatestpossible load support. The washer 514 is shown without the extendedouter flange of those washers illustrated in FIGS. 65 to 68. Theembodiment relating to the presence of the outer flange is to beselected according to the requirements of the work where increasing thediameter of the outer flange increases the load bearing facility of thesystem but may need to be restricted in order to avoid obstructions atthe site of the work.

A second rivet reinforcement washer is shown in FIG. 70 providing loadsupport for attachment 520 illustrating the versatility of said washerin its ability to accommodate various attachments as required by thework. The washer 522 is mounted on a medium 524 at a site where a rivet523 is previously installed as in FIG. 69. Attachment 520 is equippedwith a bolt to engage rivet 523 after passing through the central holeof washer 522 and medium 524.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for drilling into a medium.The drilling process is performed according to the following steps:

-   -   selection of the drill bit according to material and size        appropriate for the medium to be drilled;    -   selection of drill bracket, either right-angled or flat,        dependent on accessibility of work;    -   affixation of the angled bracket or the flat bracket to the        medium;    -   engagement of the drill cartridge apparatus with the bracket;    -   application of rotation force thereon, at the appropriate point,        to compress internal spring forcing drill bit against medium;    -   application of rotation force thereon, at the appropriate point,        to produce intended hole; and    -   drilling, at predefined distances relative to first hole, may be        performed using a plug to hold the drill bracket in place and        engaging further holes on this drill bracket as above.

The apparatus required to perform the above steps will be betterunderstood with reference to the drawings as listed in the descriptionof drawings above.

The description of the drill cartridge apparatus will be discussed indetail with reference to FIGS. 71 to 74. A drill cartridge apparatus isprovided as in FIG. 71 such that it comprises a drive nut 528 to whichdriving force is to be applied, a drill cartridge housing 530, acompressed air inlet 536 for cooling, a drill bit 538 engaged with lowerthreaded portion of drill shaft 540, a compression spring 542 to forcedrilling end of apparatus against medium, and an adjustment nut 546 inorder to compress said compression spring 542 upon application ofappropriate rotation force. Said drill cartridge apparatus of FIG. 71 isfurther equipped with thrust bearing 532 and bushings 534 and 544 tomaintain applied forces parallel to the axis of rotation when such forceis applied to drive nut 528 causing the drill shaft 540 and attacheddrill bit 538 to engage the medium intended to be drilled.

The drill cartridge housing 548 is provided as in FIG. 72 having acompressed air inlet 550 and a radial mounting flange 552 equipped withmounting hole 554. The drill cartridge housing is shown in FIG. 73including the radial mounting flange 556 and mounting hole 558 where anindustry standard NPT connector 560 is engaged with said compressed airinlet.

The drill cartridge apparatus is provided as in FIG. 74, illustratingits components in greater detail. The drill cartridge apparatuscomprises the drive nut 562, an upper bushing 564, an adjustment nut 566equipped with threads to engage the threads of the drill cartridgehousing 580.

A compression spring 568 is provided producing the required downwardforce on the drill shaft 574 once support collar 572 and thrust bearing570 are made to pass over said shaft to the point fixed by the springpin 576 and adjustment nut 566 is engaged with drill cartridge housing580. The drill shaft 574 is separately threaded in its upper and lowerregions to engage drive nut 562 and drill bit 584 respectively. Theengagement of the drill shaft 574 by the drive nut 562 allows theindependent rotation of the drill shaft 574 and hence said drill bit 584within the housing as a downward force is maintained on said shaft bymeans of the compressed spring 568. A lower bushing 578 is provided tomaintain applied forces parallel to the axis of rotation as in the casesof the upper bushing 564 and the thrust bearing 570. Drill bit 584 is tobe selected as to the requirements of the work.

The drill cartridge housing 580 is provided with a compressed air inlet582 which allows attachment of an industry standard NPT connector andassociated devices thereby delivering, through provided channel, aircooling at the site of drilling should such cooling be required.

Implementation of the drill cartridge apparatus will be discussed withreference to FIGS. 75 and 76. A drill cartridge apparatus is engagedwith an appropriate bracket as in FIG. 75 where a plug 594 is used toset the position of a drill bracket 596 with the aid of an existinghole, in the medium 592, where possible for the purpose of drilling atrelative distance as defined by the configuration of said bracket. Thedrill cartridge apparatus 586 is engaged with said bracket by means ofnut 590 and compressed air inlet 588 remains accessible to providecooling, if necessary at the site of the work.

The implementation of FIG. 75 is further illustrated in the top view ofFIG. 76. The drill cartridge apparatus 598 is engaged with the drillbracket by means of nut 600 passing through a hole in the drill bracketsimilar to that provided at hole 602. The drilling position is again setby means of plug 604 securing the drill bracket against the face of themedium.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for the implementation ofthe drill guide at the site of the work in order to facilitate drillinginto the medium. The implementation process is performed according tothe following steps:

-   -   choice of a drill guide with either raised or countersunk        magnets,    -   magnetic engagement of the drill guide with the surface of the        medium at the site of the work,    -   accurate adjustment of drill guide to suit the required location        of the work,    -   engagement of the drill guide with drill bit and accompanying        apparatuses required to perform the drilling,    -   performance of the action of drilling while supplying air        through intake provided to reduce heat and to remove exhaust at        the site of the work, and    -   removal of the magnetic drill guide after completion of the        drilling.

The apparatus required to perform the above steps will be betterunderstood with reference to the drawings below as listed in thedescription of drawings above.

The description of the magnetic drill guide will be discussed in detailwith reference to FIGS. 77 through 83. A magnetic drill guide isprovided as in FIG. 77 comprised of drill shaft opening 610 to allow thedrill bit to pass through the body of the guide to engage the medium, aguide platform 612 elevated from the surface of the medium in order toclear obstructions to the work and to allow an exhaust path for thefragments produced by the action of drilling. Magnetic standoffs such as614 and 616 elevate said platform 612 and affix the apparatus to aferrous medium with force sufficient to maintain its position under thestress of the work. Guide housing 618 maintains the structure of theguide at the intended angle relative to the plane of the work face ofthe medium.

A magnetic drill guide is provided as in FIG. 78 shown from the workside in order to illustrate the configuration of magnetic standoffs 622,624, 626, and 628 as they are attached to the underside of the guideplatform 620 which is equipped with drill shaft opening 630. Saidconfiguration allows the apparatus to clear surface obstructions,maintains a symmetrical radial distribution, from said drill shaftopening 630, of said magnetic standoffs 622, 624, 626, and 628 such thatthe apparatus remains mechanically balanced at the site of the work, andprovides sufficient paths for the exhaust of the work.

A magnetic drill guide with affixed compressed air receptacle and intakepath is provided as in FIG. 79 comprised of drill shaft opening 632,guide platform 634, magnetic standoffs such as 636, intake path 638 toprovide cooling at the site of the work as well as forcing drill exhaustaway from the site of the work, and conventional compressed airreceptacle 642 configured to be attached to compressed air facilitiescommonly available to the technician.

A magnetic drill guide is provided as in FIG. 80 shown from the workside as in FIG. 78 with the addition of conventional compressed airreceptacle 648 and further comprised of guide platform 644, magneticstandoffs such as 646, and drill shaft opening 650 as before.

A magnetic drill guide equipped with a compressed air receptacle andengaged with a center line positioning apparatus is provided as in FIG.81 shown from the work side. Said magnetic drill guide 658 is accuratelypositioned at the site of the work with the aid of the positioningapparatus 652. Said positioning apparatus 652 may be mounted on themedium by means of mounting holes such as 654 utilizing existing holeswhere the aperture of 656 may be used to establish the center line ofintended drilling. Due to the “V” configuration of the working end ofthe positioning apparatus 652, it may be used to engage said magneticdrill guide 658 at any of the four corners of the guide platform 644 asdescribed in FIG. 80. Such positioning allows the operator to drillalong a center line which is established and passes through mountinghole 654 and aperture 656.

A magnetic drill guide with countersunk magnets and mounting eyelets isprovided as in FIG. 82 comprised of drill shaft opening 660 to allow thedrill bit to pass through the body of the guide to engage the medium, aguide platform 662 designed to abut the medium on the work side, magnetsembedded within said platform, eyelets for mounting with screws such as664 and 668, exhaust path 666, and conventional compressed airreceptacle 670. Said screws may be self tapping and mounting by saidmeans allows reinforcement of magnetic mounting or may be used as thesole mounting means on a non-ferrous medium. Guide housing 672 maintainsthe structure of the guide at the intended angle relative to the planeof the work face of the medium.

A magnetic drill guide is provided as in FIG. 83 shown from the workside and illustrating mounting eyelets 678 and 682. Magnets such as 676are countersunk to allow the entire platform to abut the work face. Anexhaust path 674 is provided with arrows indicating the intendeddirection of air flow. The guide is equipped with conventionalcompressed air receptacle 680 as before. It is understood that therelative sizes of the magnetic standoffs, countersunk magnets, thenumber of magnets, the number and distribution of mounting eyelets, theangle of the guide housing relative to the plane of the face of thework, and the relative size of the drill shaft opening are shown thus inFIGS. 77 through 83 in order to simply communicate the functionality ofan embodiment of the present invention and any alteration of saidparameters does not depart from the scope of this embodiment of thepresent invention.

1. A collision repair process comprising: (a) a stepped procedureincluding i.) an initialization stage; ii.) a first decision as to therequirement of mobile, 4 point anchoring; iii.) a first action in theimplementation of a mobile, 4 point anchoring apparatus. iv.) a hook-upprocess including a) an hook-up initialization stage; b) an hook-upfirst decision as to mounting hole requirement; c) an hook-up firstaction in the mounting of a clamp; d) an hook-up second decision as tothe utility of mounting holes should they exist; e) an hook-up secondaction in the production of mounting holes; f) an hook-up third decisionas to the requirement of a bracket; g) an hook-up fourth question as tothe requirement of a bracket; h) an hook-up third action in the mountingof a bracket; i) an hook-up fifth decision as to the requirement ofadditional holes; j) an hook-up fourth action in the production ofmounting holes; k) an hook-up fifth action in the mounting of a bracket;l) an hook-up termination/completion stage. v.) a second decision as tothe requirement of stress relief; vi.) a second action in theapplication of stress relief; vii.) a third action in the implementationof a vector transfer apparatus; viii.) an optional fourth action in theuse of directly mounted apparatus to sustain force; ix.) a processcompletion stage in the application of force. (b) a toolkit includingi.) a pinch clamp means; ii.) a bracket means; iii.) a drill cartridgemeans; iv.) locking pliers means; v.) a piercing punch means; vi.) amobile, 4 point anchoring apparatus means; vii.) a vector transferapparatus means.
 2. A collision repair process as in claim 1, whereinsaid hook-up initialization entails the identification of the locationof hook-up.
 3. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 2, whereinsaid hook-up initialization conditions are satisfied and a decision isto be made regarding the requirement of mounting holes for the work. 4.A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 3, wherein mounting holesare not required and a pinch clamp is to be used.
 5. A collision repairprocess as in claims 1 and 3, wherein mounting holes are required and ahook-up decision is to be made as to whether existing holes can be used.6. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 5, wherein existingholes cannot be utilized and additional holes are produced.
 7. Acollision repair process as in claims 1 and 6, wherein mounting holeshave been produced and a hook-up decision is to be made as to whether abracket is to be further utilized.
 8. A collision repair process as inclaims 1 and 5, wherein existing holes can be utilized and a hook-updecision is to be made as to whether a bracket is to be used.
 9. Acollision repair process as in claims 1 and 8, wherein a bracket isdetermined to be of utility and is secured to the medium.
 10. Acollision repair process as in claim 1, wherein a hook-up decision is tobe made as to whether additional mounting holes are required.
 11. Acollision repair process as in claims 1, 9, and 10, wherein additionalholes are produced by utilizing the secured bracket in conjunction witha drill cartridge.
 12. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 7, and11, wherein said bracket is either first secured or additionally securedusing newly created holes.
 13. A collision repair process as in claims1, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 12, wherein the hook-up process may be terminatedwith the attachment of a device or devices which will serve to sustainthe application of force during repair.
 14. A collision repair processas in claims 1, 4, and 13, wherein said pinch clamp is used to anchorfurther devices which will serve to sustain the application of forceduring repair.
 15. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 9, 11, 12,and 13, wherein said bracket may serve as a platform for said drillcartridge or the attachment of a device or devices which will serve tosustain the application of force during repair.
 16. A collision repairprocess as in claims 1, 6, 11, and 15, wherein said drill cartridge maybe engaged with a bracket in order to produce holes by drilling in themedium.
 17. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 6, and 15,wherein said locking pliers may be used to secure bracket to medium. 18.A collision repair process as in claims 1, 6, and 15, wherein saidpiercing punch may be used to produce holes sufficient to allow the useof a nut and bolt configuration to mount said bracket.
 19. A collisionrepair process as in claim 1, wherein said initialization entails theidentification of the damage to be repaired by this process.
 20. Acollision repair process as in claim 1 and 19, wherein saidinitialization conditions are satisfied and a decision is to be made asto the requirement of a mobile, 4 point anchoring apparatus
 21. Acollision repair process as in claims 1 and 20, wherein a mobile, 4point anchoring device is determined to be necessary and is implemented.22. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 20, wherein a mobile,4 point anchoring device is determined to be unnecessary and the hook-upprocess is invoked.
 23. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and21, wherein a mobile, 4 point anchoring device is implemented and thenthe hook-up process is invoked.
 24. A collision repair process as inclaims 1, 2 through 18, and 23, wherein the hook-up process issuccessfully completed and decision is to be made as to the requirementof stress relief.
 25. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 24,wherein the requirement of stress relief is deemed necessary and stressrelief accessories and techniques are implemented.
 26. A collisionrepair process as in claims 1 and 24, wherein the requirement of stressrelief is deemed unnecessary and the vector transfer apparatus isimplemented.
 27. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 24,wherein the requirement of stress relief is deemed unnecessary anddirect attachments are made at the site of the work for the applicationof force.
 28. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 25, whereinthe stress relief accessories have been implemented and the vectortransfer apparatus is engaged.
 29. A collision repair process as inclaims 1 and 25, wherein the stress relief accessories have beenimplemented and direct attachments are made at the site of the work forthe application of force.
 30. A collision repair process as in claims 1,26, 27, 28, and 29, wherein either the vector transfer apparatus hasbeen engaged or direct attachment(s) have been made such that theprocess is completed with the appropriate application of force.
 31. Anuniversal automobile repair system and apparatus comprising: (a) acrossbeam means with a self aligning nut means near the ends of saidcrossbeam; (b) a wheel assembly means for the crossbeam; (c) anelevation and mobility apparatus means including: i.) a wheel attachmentfor rotation and linear mobility facility; ii.) a locking means for saidwheel attachment; iii.) a crossbeam height adjustment bolt means; iv.)an apparatus height adjustment bolt means; v.) an height lock levermeans; vi.) a pin locking means for crossbeam position stability and toaid in the establishment of perpendicularity of said crossbeam relativeto the assembly; (d) a clamping means for securing vehicle to apparatus;(e) a base clamp means providing floor anchoring means; (f) a spotanchoring means for localizing stresses.
 32. An universal automobilerepair system and apparatus as in claim 31, in which said crossbeamshave a self alignment nut facility to allow a bolt to be threadedtherein and are of a length exceeding passenger automobile width.
 33. Anuniversal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim 32, whereinsaid crossbeam can be fitted with a wheel assembly for independentmobility.
 34. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as inclaim 33, wherein said crossbeams may be fitted into an elevation andmobility apparatus providing a platform on which to raise vehicle. 35.An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim 34,wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus is equipped with a wheelattachment providing rotation and linear mobility of the combinedapparatus.
 36. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as inclaim 35, where said wheel attachment has a locking facility in order topotentially immobilize an elevation and mobility apparatus therebyproviding an axis of rotation.
 37. An universal automobile repair systemand apparatus as in claim 34, wherein said elevation and mobilityapparatus is equipped with a crossbeam height adjustment bolt meanswhich is threaded through the ends of the crossbeam by means of a selfaligning nut and serves to adjust the elevation of the crossbeamrelative to the elevation and mobility apparatus and to establishperpendicularity relative to the height of said apparatus.
 38. Anuniversal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim 34, whereinsaid elevation and mobility apparatus is equipped with an apparatusheight adjustment bolt means which serves to adjust the elevation of theelevation and mobility apparatus relative to the floor.
 39. An universalautomobile repair system and apparatus as in claim 34, wherein saidelevation and mobility apparatus is equipped with an height lock levermeans which serves to lock the elevation of the apparatus relative tothe floor.
 40. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as inclaim 34, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus is equipped witha pin locking means for crossbeam position stability andperpendicularity relative to the height of the apparatus which isestablished with the aid of the aforementioned crossbeam heightadjustment bolt means.
 41. An universal automobile repair system andapparatus as in claim 31, wherein said crossbeam may be fitted withclamping means which is adjustable for attachment to the undercarriageof an automobile thereby securing said automobile relative to theapparatus.
 42. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as inclaim 40, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus may be securedin its final position in preparation for automobile repair with the aidof base clamps which are placed in contact with the elevation andmobility apparatus at critical stress points on the floor and areanchored to available floor anchor points thereby providing additionalstability and immobility of the combined apparatus relative to thefloor.
 43. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as inclaim 42, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus is equipped withanchoring hole means in the base such that said holes may be used tofurther secure the apparatus at critical floor anchor points.
 44. Anuniversal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claims 31 and 40,wherein said crossbeam and elevation and mobility apparatus may befitted with chain anchoring points providing spot anchoring means toconfine stresses to the region under repair and to thereby reducesecondary damage.
 45. A method and apparatus for the attachment of anappropriate shaft to a medium, in preparation for the further attachmentof devices enabling the application of force, comprising: (a) a threadedshaft mountable by means of a nut; (b) a threaded shaft mountable bymeans of a threaded rivet; (c) a threaded shaft mountable by means of aforming nut, (d) a threaded shaft mountable by means of a key and lock;(e) a threaded shaft mountable by means of a bracket; (f) a shaftmountable by means of a mounting platform with threaded stud; (g) a flatbracket; (h) a right angle bracket; (i) a vise clamp bracket; (j) aMacPherson strut housing bracket. (k) a threaded shaft with an eyeletattachment. (l) a bracket with shaft engagement facility.
 46. A methodand apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 45,wherein said threaded shaft mountable by means of a nut is equipped witha threaded bolt to engage a nut and has a free outer thread to engagefurther attachments for the controlled application of force to theintended work area.
 47. A method and apparatus for the attachment of ashaft to a medium, as in claim 45, wherein said threaded shaft mountableby means of a threaded rivet is equipped with a threaded bolt to engagea threaded rivet, an annular recess to clear the flange of said rivet,and a free outer thread to engage further attachments for the controlledapplication of force to the intended work area.
 48. A method andapparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 45,wherein said threaded shaft mountable by means of a forming nut isequipped with a threaded bolt to engage a forming nut, an annular formto deform the medium increasing the contact area, and a free outerthread to engage further attachments for the controlled application offorce to the intended work area.
 49. A method and apparatus for theattachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 48, wherein said formingnut has an annular recess to mate with the positive form in the deformedmedium produced by the mounting of said threaded shaft.
 50. A method andapparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 45,wherein said threaded shaft mountable by means of a key and lock can bemated with said key and lock at points thus provided on theundercarriage of certain vehicles, such as a BMW automobile, and has afree outer thread to engage further attachments for the controlledapplication of force to the intended work area.
 51. A method andapparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 45,wherein said threaded shaft mountable by means of a bracket is equippedwith an threaded bolt to engage a bracket and has a free outer thread toengage further attachments for the controlled application of force tothe intended work area.
 52. A method and apparatus for the attachment ofa shaft to a medium, as in claims 45 and 51, wherein said flat bracketis mountable to a medium and is configured to engage the inner thread ofsaid threaded shaft.
 53. A method and apparatus for the attachment of ashaft to a medium, as in claims 45 and 51, wherein said right anglebracket is mountable to a medium and is configured to engage the innerthread of said threaded shaft on either plane of the mounted bracket.54. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, asin claims 45 and 51, wherein said vise clamp bracket is mountable to amedium, ideally to the undercarriage of a vehicle along the pinch well,and is configured to engage the inner thread of said threaded shaft. 55.A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as inclaim 54, wherein said vise clamp bracket may have a single or multipletightening point(s) in order to distribute applied forces among thepoints of contact.
 56. A method and apparatus for the attachment of ashaft to a medium, as in claims 45 and 51, wherein said MacPherson struthousing bracket is mountable to the MacPherson strut housing of avehicle, is adjustable within the range of variation in the automotiveindustry, and is configured to engage the inner thread of said threadedshaft.
 57. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to amedium, as in claim 45, wherein the threaded shaft may be configuredsuch that a bolt passes through the body of the shaft and such that theupper end of the shaft, the end of the shaft not intended to be incontact with the medium, is of geometry to be engaged by a wrench tohold it static while the axial bolt is turned.
 58. A method andapparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claims 45 and57, wherein said axial bolt and shaft configuration allows the removalof the device from a failed threaded rivet, a rivet which may rotatewithin the hole at the site of installation, by means of holding theshaft static while the bolt is turned to disengage said threaded rivet.59. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus comprising: (a) avector lock mechanism including i.) mounting panels; ii.) an upperlocking bolt means; iii.) a lower locking bolt means; iv.) an internallythreaded cylinder; (b) a straight arm attachment; (c) an adjustableright angle arm attachment; (d) a facility for further attachments; (e)a high resolution vector lock mechanism including i.) an internallythreaded cylinder; ii.) a rotation window; iii.) an adjustment bolt;iv.) locking pins.
 60. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus asin claim 59, wherein said mounting panels form the outer housing of thevector lock mechanism.
 61. A corrective force vector transfer apparatusas in claims 59 and 60, wherein said mounting panels are equippedfirstly with an upper hole to support the upper locking bolt andsecondly a series of lower holes along the proposed path of engagementwith the lower locking bolt.
 62. A corrective force vector transferapparatus as in claims 59 and 61, wherein said internally threadedcylinder is equipped with fixtures to engage said locking bolts and isappropriately internally threaded to engage a threaded shaft or bolt atthe site of the work.
 63. A corrective force vector transfer apparatusas in claims 59, 60, 61 and 62, wherein said internally threadedcylinder may be engaged with said mounting panels by means of upperlocking bolt providing an axis of rotation about said upper lockingbolt.
 64. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59,61, and 63, whereby the relative angle between the axis of saidcylinder, rotated about the axis of said upper locking bolt, and theaxis along the length of the outer housing of the vector lock mechanismis set by means of the insertion of the lower locking bolt at theappropriate hole in the provided series of lower holes, as may berequired by the work.
 65. A corrective force vector transfer apparatusas in claims 59 and 62, wherein the assembled vector lock mechanismengaged at the site of the work has the facility to rotate about theaxis of the internally threaded cylinder as required by the work andwherein said facility persists upon the attachment of furtheraccessories.
 66. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as inclaims 59 and 65, wherein a straight arm may be attached at varyingangles to the assembled vector lock mechanism as required by the work inorder to clear obstructions to the application of force where force isto be applied at the free end of said straight arm.
 67. A correctiveforce vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59 and 65, wherein a rightangle arm may be attached to the assembled vector lock mechanism whichhas facility to adjust height and length.
 68. A corrective force vectortransfer apparatus as in claims 59 and 65, wherein the assembled vectorlock mechanism may be further equipped with facility for further taskspecific attachments such as a chain tightening mechanism.
 69. Acorrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59, wherein thecomponents of said apparatus and the junctions established between saidcomponents are of rigidity sufficient to withstand forces required tocorrect damage at the site of the work without distortion of saidcomponents or junctions.
 70. A corrective force vector transferapparatus as in claims 59, 65, 66, 67 and 68, wherein the assembledapparatus allows the operator to clear obstructions to the work andapply force at the free end of the chosen attachment transferring thebulk of said force to or near the intended location as required by thework.
 71. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59,wherein the high resolution vector lock mechanism may be adjusted freelythrough the full range of angles defined by the rotation window.
 72. Acorrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59 and 71,wherein an adjustment bolt is engaged by means of a locking pin with aninternally threaded cylinder.
 73. A corrective force vector transferapparatus as in claims 59, 71, and 72, wherein a locking pin is used toengage the internally threaded cylinder with an arm attachment therebyproviding an axis of rotation of said arm attachment.
 74. A correctiveforce vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59, 71, 72, and 73, whereinsaid adjustment bolt is operated to rotate an arm attachment about theaxis set by the locking pin engaging the internally threaded cylinderwith said arm attachment thereby allowing the selection of the desiredangle at which corrective forces may be applied to the medium underrepair.
 75. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59,wherein the mounted apparatus is rigid and will not disengage from thesite of the work if left unattended thereby eliminating the potentialityof damage or injury caused by such a device falling once engaged.
 76. Aprocess for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium inpreparation for the application of corrective forces comprising: (a) astepped procedure including i.) an initialization stage; ii.) a firstdecision as to mounting hole requirement; iii.) a first action in themounting of a clamp; iv.) a second decision as to the utility ofmounting holes should they exist; v.) a second action in the productionof mounting holes; vi.) a third decision as to the requirement of auniversal bracket; vii.) a fourth question as to the requirement of auniversal bracket; viii.) a third action in the mounting of a universalbracket; ix.) a fifth decision as to the requirement of additionalholes; x.) a fourth action in the production of mounting holes; xi.) afifth action in the mounting of a universal bracket; xii.) atermination/completion stage. (b) a toolkit including i.) a pinch clampmeans; ii.) a universal bracket means; iii.) a drill cartridge means;iv.) locking pliers means; v.) a piercing punch means.
 77. A process forthe establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claim 76, whereinsaid initialization stage entails the identification of the location ofhook-up.
 78. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on amedium as in claims 76 and 77, wherein said initialization conditionsare satisfied and a decision is to be made regarding the requirement ofmounting holes for the work.
 79. A process for the establishment of ananchor point on a medium as in claims 76 and 78, wherein mounting holesare not required and a pinch clamp is to be used.
 80. A process for theestablishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76 and 78,wherein mounting holes are required and a decision is to be made as towhether existing holes can be used.
 81. A process for the establishmentof an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76 and 80, wherein existingholes cannot be utilized and additional holes are produced.
 82. Aprocess for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as inclaims 76 and 81, wherein mounting holes have been produced and adecision is to be made as to whether a universal bracket is to befurther utilized.
 83. A process for the establishment of an anchor pointon a medium as in claims 76 and 80, wherein existing holes can beutilized and a decision is to be made as to whether a universal bracketis to be used.
 84. A process for the establishment of an anchor point ona medium as in claims 76 and 83, wherein a universal bracket isdetermined to be of utility and is secured to the medium.
 85. A processfor the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claim 76,wherein a decision is to be made as to whether additional mounting holesare required.
 86. A process for the establishment of an anchor point ona medium as in claims 76, 84, and 85, wherein additional holes areproduced by utilizing the secured universal bracket in conjunction witha drill cartridge.
 87. A process for the establishment of an anchorpoint on a medium as in claims 76, 82, and 86, wherein said universalbracket is either first secured or additionally secured using newlycreated holes.
 88. A process for the establishment of an anchor point ona medium as in claims 76, 79, 82, 83, 85, and 87, wherein the processmay be terminated with the attachment of a device or devices which willserve to sustain the application of force during repair.
 89. A processfor the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76,79, and 88, wherein said pinch clamp is used to anchor further deviceswhich will serve to sustain the application of force during repair. 90.A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as inclaims 76, 84, 86, 87, and 88, wherein said universal bracket may serveas a platform for said drill cartridge or the attachment of a device ordevices which will serve to sustain the application of force duringrepair.
 91. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on amedium as in claims 76, 81, 86, and 90, wherein said drill cartridge maybe engaged with a universal bracket in order to produce holes bydrilling in the medium.
 92. A process for the establishment of an anchorpoint on a medium as in claims 76, 81, and 90, wherein said lockingpliers may be used to secure universal bracket to medium.
 93. A processfor the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76,81, and 90, wherein said piercing punch may be used to produce holessufficient to allow the use of a nut and bolt configuration to mountsaid universal bracket.
 94. A versatile repair bracket apparatuscomprising: (a) a static mount repair bracket including i.) static mountrepair bracket platform means; ii.) attachment receptacle means; iii.)receptacle exhaust path means; iv.) a bracket reinforcement washer; (b)an adjustable mount repair bracket including i.) an adjustable mountbracket platform means; ii.) movable attachment receptacle means; (c) aplug attachment to hold bracket in position. (d) a bracket with a chainattachment means. (e) a bracket with a push jack attachment means.
 95. Aversatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94, wherein said staticmount repair bracket platform is flat, is equipped with holes at thelocation of attachment receptacles, and is of material that will notdeform under stress applied thereto in the performance of repair.
 96. Aversatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94 and 95, wherein saidattachment receptacles are permanently attached to the bracket platformand may be tapered or threaded as required by the attachment required toperform the work thereby configured to engage attachments such as adrill guide, rivet press, or load anchor.
 97. A versatile repair bracketapparatus as in claims 94, 95, and 96, wherein said attachmentreceptacles are further equipped with exhaust paths at the intendedinterface with the medium thereby allowing debris or moisture to fallaway, evaporate, or be otherwise forced from the site of the work.
 98. Aversatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94, 95, 96, and 97,wherein a washer may be used to reinforce the repair bracket apparatuson its work side by the welding of said washer onto a metallic medium inadvance of the installation of the repair bracket apparatus and saidwasher having inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of thework end of the attachment receptacle of said repair bracket apparatus.99. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94, 95, 96, 97 and98, whereby the installed washer is engaged with the work end of theattachment receptacle of the repair bracket apparatus providing a tightannular fit thereby increasing the stress bearing facility of the repairbracket apparatus for a load having any vector component not parallel tothe cylinder axis of the attachment receptacle.
 100. A versatile repairbracket apparatus as in claims 94 and 95, wherein said static mountrepair bracket may have two platforms joined in a right angleconfiguration, or otherwise, thereby providing two planes of potentialengagement of the work.
 101. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as inclaim 94, wherein said adjustable mount bracket platform has serratedsurface in order to provide locking facility for movable attachmentreceptacles secured thereto.
 102. A versatile repair bracket apparatusas in claims 94 and 101, wherein the movable attachment receptacles arefree to move along the length axis of the adjustable mount platformthereby providing greater mounting freedom than a static mount bracketplatform.
 103. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94, 95,96, 101, and 102, wherein said movable attachment receptacles may beinternally threaded or tapered, as required by the attachment requiredto perform the work, similar to the attachment receptacles of the staticmount repair bracket.
 104. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as inclaims 94, 98, 99, 101, 102, and 103, whereby a washer may be used in asimilar fashion as with the static mount repair bracket in order toincrease the stress bearing facility of the repair bracket apparatus fora load having any vector component not parallel to the cylinder axis ofthe attachment receptacle.
 105. A versatile repair bracket apparatus asin claims 94, 96, and 103, wherein a plug attachment may be engaged withan attachment receptacle in order to provide a mounting point andthereby the facility to produce holes at a relative distance defined bythe distance between said receptacles in the event that equidistantholes may be desired to be produced with the aid of a drill guideattachment.
 106. A method and apparatus for the installation of blindrivets comprising: (a) a wall thickness gauge means; (b) a threadedrivet externally coated with a retaining compound means; (c) anvilassembly means including, i.) a smooth bored hollow anvil means; ii.) amandrel means to pass through said hollow anvil means; iii.) a nut meansto be threaded on said mandrel means; iv.) a washer and thrust bearingmeans to be installed between said nut means and internal body of saidhollow anvil means passing over said mandrel means; v.) a washer andthrust bearing retaining means to prevent washer and thrust bearing fromdisengaging from anvil assembly during operation; (d) a pin means topass through said anvil assembly means; (e) an anvil wrench means toengage said anvil assembly means.
 107. A method and apparatus for theinstallation of blind rivets as in claim 106, wherein said wallthickness gauge can be inserted within the intended hole site of mediumto facilitate selection of correct length rivet means.
 108. A method andapparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claim 106, whereinsaid retaining compound is activated during the installation process andwill cure hence strengthening coupling between medium and rivet inaddition to the mechanical coupling.
 109. A method and apparatus for theinstallation of blind rivets as in claim 106, wherein said anvilassembly may be engaged with the internal thread of said rivet means.110. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as inclaim 106, wherein said pin passes through said anvil assemblypreventing relative rotation of said mandrel and hollow anvil bodycomponents.
 111. A method and apparatus for the installation of blindrivets as in claim 109, wherein said anvil assembly and engaged rivetmeans can be brought into abutment of the medium of intendedinstallation through an appropriately sized hole.
 112. A method andapparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claim 106, whereinsaid anvil wrench is of a geometry to allow simple engagement with saidanvil assembly means with the aid of said pin means.
 113. A method andapparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claims 111 and 112,wherein said anvil wrench engages said anvil assembly restricting systemrotation to that provided by operator through anvil wrench means.
 114. Amethod and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claims106 and 113, wherein said nut of said anvil assembly may be engaged by adevice causing said mandrel to draw and compress shank of said rivetagainst underside of said medium, thus fixing rivet in medium, whilesaid anvil wrench is positioned to prevent rotation of said anvilassembly.
 115. A method and apparatus for the installation of blindrivets as in claim 114, wherein said device used to engage said nut maybe rested against the geometry of said anvil wrench thereby allowingsingle handed operation.
 116. A method and apparatus for theinstallation of blind rivets as in claim 114, whereby said anvilassembly may be disengaged from said fixed rivet by rotation of saidanvil assembly counter-clockwise with the aid of said anvil wrenchthereby threading said mandrel out of said rivet.
 117. A method andapparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claim 116, whereinsaid anvil wrench may be disengaged after sufficient rotation to allowdirect rotation of said anvil assembly in situations where full rotationof engaged anvil wrench may be impractical.
 118. A method and apparatusfor the installation of blind rivets as in claim 114, wherein said anvilassembly, said anvil wrench, and said device used to engage said nut maybe operated from one side of the work.
 119. A rivet reinforcement washercomprising: (a) a raised annular support channel; (b) a central hole toclear rivet; (c) weld hole means; (d) exhaust path hole means; (e) anouter annular flange.
 120. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119,wherein said rivet reinforcement washer is of material chosen towithstand stresses as required by the work without deformation.
 121. Arivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, wherein said raised annularsupport channel is formed of the contiguous material of the rivetreinforcement washer.
 122. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claims 119and 121, wherein said raised annular support channel is of geometrywhich maximizes the area of contact between said washer and anyattachment utilizing the presence of reinforced rivet.
 123. A rivetreinforcement washer as in claims 119, 121 and 122, wherein the raisedannular support channel is used to distribute the load of any appliedforce, or any vector component thereof, which is not strictly parallelto the axis of the rivet over the greatest area permitted by the workthereby minimizing the stress on the rivet and reducing the possibilityof structural failure.
 124. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim119, wherein said central hole is of diameter sufficient to clear theannular flange of the installed rivet on the side of the work therebypermitting full utility of said rivet.
 125. A rivet reinforcement washeras in claim 119, whereby weld holes may be provided as a means to permitwelding of the washer to the medium at the site of the work.
 126. Arivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, 121, 122 and 123, whereby anexhaust path, an opening in the raised annular support channel, may beused to facilitate the passage of moisture or debris that may collect inthis channel thereby reducing the possibility of corrosion, should thewasher remain attached for an extended period, and in some cases aidingin the installation of said washer.
 127. A rivet reinforcement washer asin claim 119, whereby increasing the diameter of the outer flangeincreases the load bearing capability of the washer but wherein thepresence of said outer flange is not crucial to the utility of thewasher but the diameter of which may be restricted by the location andaccessibility of the work.
 128. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim119, wherein points along the outer flange may be used to weld thewasher at the site of the work thereby providing an additional means ofinstallation.
 129. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, whereinsaid washer may be used without the presence of a rivet where the workpermits thereby effecting similar utility as when a previously installedrivet is present.
 130. A method and apparatus for drilling into a mediumcomprising: (a) drill cartridge apparatus means including i.) drillcartridge housing means; ii.) a drill shaft with attached drill bitmeans to pass through said drill cartridge housing; iii.) an adjustmentnut means to engage upper end of said drill cartridge; iv.) acompression spring means; v.) thrust bearing and bushing means; vi.) asupport collar means; vii.) a compressed air inlet means as part of saiddrill cartridge housing; (b) a plug means to hold drill bracket inposition for multiple hole production.
 131. A method and apparatus fordrilling into a medium as in claim 130, wherein said drill cartridgehousing is cylindrical, hollow and threaded to engage an adjustment nut.132. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claims 130and 131, wherein said adjustment nut is threaded to allow engagementwith said drill cartridge and may be knurled along its outer annularedge to facilitate rotation force application once engaged.
 133. Amethod and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claims 130, 131,and 132 wherein said drill shaft and attached drill bit is cylindricaland of length sufficient to pass through hollow bodies of combinedassembly of said adjustment nut and said drill cartridge housing and toallow engagement of drive nut at one end and such that said attacheddrill bit can penetrate a medium at the other end.
 134. A method andapparatus for drilling into a medium as in claims 130 and 133, whereinsaid drill shaft is threaded at one end to allow the engagement of anadjustment nut, is threaded at the other end to allow engagement of saiddrill bit, and is provided with a spring pin at a point along its lengthsufficiently distant from said drill bit end to allow said drill bit toemerge outside of said combined assembly before said spring pin isabutted by the internal structure of said drill cartridge housing. 135.A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claims 130 and134, wherein said spring pin provides the anchor point for said supportcollar means.
 136. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium asin claims 130, 131, 132, 133, and 135, wherein said compression springpasses over said drill shaft within the cavity of said drill cartridgehousing, supported by said support collar, allowing an operator tocompress said spring by means of application of rotation force to saidadjustment nut thereby forcing said drill bit against medium eliminatingthe need for the operator to apply forces along the axis of rotation ofsaid drill bit.
 137. A method and apparatus for drilling into a mediumas in claims 130 and 133, wherein said thrust bearing and bushings arering shaped to pass over said drill shaft and are used to maintainrotation forces applied to said drill shaft parallel to the axis ofrotation thereby reducing friction.
 138. A method and apparatus fordrilling into a medium as in claim 130, wherein said compressed airinlet is provided to allow the operator a means to deliver air coolingto the site of the work should high speed drilling necessitate it. 139.A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claim 130,wherein said drill cartridge apparatus may be engaged with a drillbracket in order to produce a hole or a number of holes spaced atpredefined distances.
 140. A method and apparatus for drilling into amedium as in claim 130, whereby said drill cartridge apparatus may beused in conjunction with a wrench or power tool to apply rotation forceto drill shaft and attached drill bit.
 141. A method and apparatus fordrilling into a medium as in claim 130, wherein said plug means may beused to engage a drill bracket at the site of a reference hole, fixingthe position of said drill bracket relative to said reference hole, andthus facilitating the drilling of further holes at distances from thereference hole defined by the drill bracket configuration.
 142. Amagnetic drill guide apparatus comprising: (a) a magnetic drill guideincluding i.) drill shaft means; ii.) guide platform means; iii.)magnetic standoff means; iv.) housing means; v.) compressed air intakemeans; vi.) mounting eyelet means; vii.) countersunk magnet means;viii.) exhaust path means; (b) a center line positioning deviceincluding i.) mounting hole means; ii.) centering aperture means; iii.)“v” shaped engagement end means.
 143. A magnetic drill guide apparatusas in claim 142, wherein said drill shaft means provides a clear passagefor a drill bit through the center of the apparatus in order to engagethe medium to be drilled and is bored at an angle desirable for thework.
 144. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claim 142, whereinsaid guide platform means may be elevated above the work surface, is ofshape, preferably square or rectangular, to be easily engaged by saidcenter line positioning device, and is of material which can withstandthe stress of the work.
 145. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as inclaims 142 and 144, wherein said guide platform is equipped withmagnetic standoff means which are of sufficient magnetic strength tohold the apparatus in place under the stress of the work and to allowthe simple application and removal of said apparatus.
 146. A magneticdrill guide apparatus as in claims 142, 143, and 145, wherein saidmagnetic standoffs are distributed in a radial fashion about the centraldrill shaft means on the work side of the apparatus in a manner toprovide sufficient exhaust paths for material fragments produced by thework.
 147. A magnetic drill guide means as in claims 142 and 143,wherein said housing means is of material resistant to deformation understress, is bored through at an angle desirable to the work providingsaid drill shaft means, and is situated on the operator side of theapparatus.
 148. A magnetic drill guide means as in claims 142, 146, and147, wherein said compressed air intake means provides an entry point insaid guide housing for compressed air, which is commonly available tothe technician, in order to facilitate cooling at the site of the workand to cause fragments arising from the work to be removed along pathson the work side of the apparatus between said magnetic standoffs. 149.A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claim 142, wherein said mountinghole means of the center line positioning device allows the device to beaffixed at the site of the work.
 150. A magnetic drill guide apparatusas in claims 142 and 149, wherein said centering aperture means providesthe facility to set a center line, along which a hole is to be drilled,which passes through said mounting hole means and said aperture andwhere said aperture may be used as a second mounting means of saiddevice.
 151. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claims 142, 144 and150, wherein said “v” shaped engagement end means of said center linepositioning device is configured to mechanically engage said guideplatform of said magnetic drill guide along two edges once said centerline has been established.
 152. A magnetic drill guide as in claim 142,wherein said eyelet means provide additional mounting means wheredesirable or may be the sole mounting means where the intended medium isnon-ferrous.
 153. A magnetic drill guide as in claims 142 and 144,wherein said eyelet means are part of said guide platform.
 154. Amagnetic drill guide as in claims 142 and 144, wherein said countersunkmagnets are embedded within said guide platform wherein said platform isnot elevated above the work surface but directly abuts the medium at thesite of the work.
 155. A magnetic drill guide as in claims 142 and 148,wherein said exhaust path means are provided to allow the fragmentsarising from the work to be removed from the site of the work by forcedair thereby reducing friction, heat, and chance of operator injury. 156.A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as inclaim 45, wherein said threaded shaft with an eyelet attachment may beengaged by a hook or chain on the eyelet end facilitating theapplication of force along the length axis of said threaded shaft. 157.A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as inclaim 45, wherein any of said shafts may not be threaded whilstretaining mounting and force application facilities.
 158. A method andapparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 45,wherein said bracket with shaft engagement facility is mountable on anyflat surface and may engage any of said shafts.
 159. A method andapparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium as in claims 45 and158, wherein said bracket with shaft engagement facility is equipped tosecure said shaft into position as desired by the operator.
 160. Aversatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94, wherein said bracketwith chain attachment allow the operator to use either a nut-and-boltconfiguration or to weld said bracket to the medium under repair.
 161. Aversatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94, wherein said bracketwith chain attachment allows the operator to apply forces parallel tothe face of the medium under repair.
 162. A versatile repair bracketapparatus as in claim 94, wherein said push jack bracket will readilyengage a push jack.
 163. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as inclaim 94 and 162, wherein said push jack bracket allows the operator tomount said bracket to a medium to be repaired.
 164. A versatile repairbracket apparatus as in claim 162 and 163, wherein said push jackbracket may be used in conjunction with another push jack bracketengaging a push jack on both ends, subtending a damaged region on amedium and thereby providing force by means of said push jack to correctsaid damage.
 165. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94,wherein said push jack bracket may be engaged by a push jack through arange of angles greater than ninety degrees thereby allowing theapplication of force, by means of said push jack, through said range ofangles in order to correct damage to a medium under repair.
 166. Acorrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59, wherein anyof said vector transfer arms may be used in a fashion whereby the elbowof said arm opens away from the surface of the medium under repair andthus the vector transfer arm is inverted.
 167. A corrective force vectortransfer apparatus as in claim 166, wherein said inverted vectortransfer arm may be supported against the face of the medium underrepair at a point between said elbow and mounting point such that forcesapplied on said vector transfer arm are distributed so as to hinderdistortion arising from rotational tendencies about said mounting point.168. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium asin claim 45, wherein said shaft mountable by means of a mountingplatform with threaded stud is internally threaded to engage said stud.169. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium asin claim 168, wherein said mounting platform with threaded stud isequipped with a recess on the mounting side in order facilitate removalupon completion of the work by prying means, in order to remove ifadhered to work surface by weld or other means, and which may be of aconfiguration to allow the clearance of obstacles to mounting at thesite of the work.
 170. A method and apparatus for the attachment of ashaft to a medium as in claim 45, wherein said mounting shafts may beequipped with a facility to engage a wrench in order to provide theoperator with additional means of tightening in threaded engagements ofsaid shaft.